Actually 2.5 stars

The Duke of Fournier has been accused of murdering an opera singer. However, his wife, Duchess Audrey Sinclair, believes in his innocence. When the police refuse to believe her, Audrey decides to prove her husband’s innocence herself. She eventually teams up with a reluctant police officer named Hugh Marsden. As they continue to investigate, Audrey quickly becomes the next target of the real killer.

I initially liked Audrey Sinclair. She strongly believes in her husband’s innocence, especially when all signs pointed towards him. I also found her psychic ability to be very intriguing. As the novel continued, I began to strongly dislike her. She was very impulsive and made very rash decisions. She was also not very observant or clever. Therefore, I found Audrey Sinclair to be a very annoying heroine. I no longer thought of her as charming.

Hugh is the stereotypical brooding male lead. He did not have much character development. He was not very appealing to me. He was very arrogant and prejudiced which made him blind to the case. I also did not care for the potential romance between Hugh and Audrey. There was barely any chemistry so they were not really enjoyable.

Overall, this novel is about secrets, love, and justice. I did not really care for the flat characters. I thought that the novel tended to drag and was a bit repetitive. I also did not like how the mystery was solved and thought how it was handled was lazy. I did like the setting and the paranormal element. Murder at Seven Dials had potential but was not executed well. Even though it did not captivate me enough to read the sequel, I might pick it up sometime in the future! I am hoping Hugh and Audrey improve as the series progresses. I recommend this novel for fans of Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark, A Most Agreeable Murder, and A Useful Woman!

Cara Devlin you have a new fan! I LOVED this book!

The Bow Street Duchess Mystery Series is set to be one of my favourite series if the rest of the series is as good as Murder at the Seven Dials. I loved the characters Audrey and Hugh and the dynamic between them throughout. I also liked the additional characters like Sir and Phillip. Everything in this book was done perfectly. Romance, mystery, tension, secrets... this book had it all. I didn't want to put it down.

A unique approach to solving the a murder. A partnership between a Bow Street officer and a member of the ton may not be unusual but when the prime suspect is the Duchess's husband, it is noteworthy. Add to that Audrey Sinclair, the Duchess of Fournier has a special talent, she can "read" objects. She sees what they have seen. Handy when trying to solve a mystery. However, a problem when you are trying to convince the arresting officer, Hugh Marsden of your husband's innocence. The victim was thought to be the Duke's mistress, but Audrey knows he did not have a mistress, much less kill her. She just has to convince Hugh. Eventually and rather unwillingly, they learn to work together, learn to trust each other. This is a fast paced tale with lots of twists and turns and a more than a few potential suspects. This is the first book that I have read by this author, I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

This certainly an entertaining story. I absolutely loved how the book has put Duchess Audrey as one of the leading characters in the book. I found that I love reading her character. She was a very determined woman who felt that it was her duty to clear her husband, her friends name. Poor Hugh. I enjoyed his character as well even though he gripped at every single person who tried doing his job. Even little sir. The story is very entertaining. I was committed from the first victim of the book. Forensics certainly has changed over the course of the years. I thought that it was excellent writing as Hugh picked the reins to investigate the murders. The story is an easy read that is compelling to read. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book of the Bow Street Duchess Mystery series which gathers all the elements of a riveting and entertaining murder mystery: interesting, relatable and attaching characters with a steady intrigue, its historical setting (Victorian London), and on top of it all, a slow burn romance, with a bit of paranormal, which all leads to a book hard to put down.

I was pleasantly surprised by the element of paranormal which I thought at first would put me off.

This first book perfectly lays the foundation for the rest of the series which I can not wait to read.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted something different when I found this new to me author Cara Devlin. Perfect. Just what I needed. I am a big addicted fan of historical romance and I love mystery. This book was an absolutely perfect combination of everything I love in a story. The story of Bow Street officer Hugh Marsden as he uncovers the murder mystery of a murdered opera singer and the duke accused of it all. Now the duke’s wife Audrey Sinclair will do what it takes to prove him innocent.
The story just flows so perfectly and you are hooked from the beginning. With every twist and turn you won't want to put this book down. Cara Devlin is an excellent writer giving life to her amazing characters and creating an adventure you can’t get enough of. You will love this book. I will definitely be finding more stories from this author. Enjoy your adventure.

A murdered opera singer. A duke drenched in her blood. For Bow Street Officer Hugh Marsden, the brutal killing is a straightforward case……. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Thanks to Netgalley and Booksirens for free copies of this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the first book in a historical crime/mystery series featuring a duchess with an unusual ability and a Bow Street runner with a tainted past.

Hugh Marsden is brought to a gory murder scene one evening by one of his trusted informant's, a young street urchin he call's "Sir". At a rooming house in the Seven Dials, a young woman was slashed to death, and her body left in bed. Seated on the floor, rocking back and forth, covered in her blood is the stunned Duke of Fournier, Phillip Sinclair.

Hugh brings the duke before the magistrate and incarcerates him, thinking that the case is pretty well shut. Except Audrey Sinclair, the Duchess of Fournier, is adamant that her husband is innocent and proceeds to launch her own investigation to prove it. This forces her into Hugh's path several times, as she invades his scene, evidence room, and puts herself in the path of danger. But she convinces Hugh that there is more to the murder of the Drury Lane opera singer than what first appeared, and he is forced to work with the stubborn, headstrong, unusual duchess, despite his contempt of aristocrats.

This is an intriguing story that lays a lot of groundwork for the series. It sets a lot of the background and character of the various characters involved and hints that there is a longer story in the end, beyond this first book. Audrey may be a duchess, but she has a past she keeps secret that hints at ill treatment and incarceration because she has a paranormal ability that would have painted her as not being normal. Hugh also has a tainted past and a ruined reputation, with a link to aristocracy as well. This is more a story of unusual alliances, trust/broken trust and relationships, and a murder mystery. There is no romance, though there is hints of growing appreciation and attraction between Audrey and Hugh. That goes nowhere in this story, as they work to solve the crime and hopefully prove her husband's innocence. But it is obvious that their story does not end in this one book.

Interesting characters with interesting depth and secrets, and an intriguing murder mystery, layered with a hint of the paranormal. I quite enjoyed it.

4.5 stars out of 5

this was a great book, I love a historical romance and ewven more a mystery where the women can jump right in, and when the partner is a man who respects that,,even better. Cannot wait for the next in the series.

Anyone who loves historical thrillers will want to read Murder at the Seven Dials, the first novel in the Bow Street Duchess mystery series by Cara Devlin. Audrey Sinclair, the Duchess of Fournier, and her husband, Phillip, the Duke of Fournier have a marital secret, which makes Audrey sure her husband doesn’t keep a mistress. The Duke is found covered in blood in some rented rooms located in the Seven Dials, a seedy part of London, with a murdered opera singer. The Duke is arrested by a Bow Street officer, Hugh Marsden, who is sure he is guilty and rejoices in starting a scandal among the English gentry. Audrey decides to conduct an investigation on her own to vindicate her husband, and Marsden becomes worried about her safety. He feels he has no choice but to help her with her investigation to keep her out of trouble, which is difficult because Audrey is pushy and puts herself in danger more than once.

Devlin does an excellent job of developing the main characters. Audrey Sinclair is an excellent protagonist, and is very likeable. Hugh Marsden is the perfect character to go against Audrey, as he is also well-developed, albeit more of a commoner. The characters are believable and Devlin has done her research to make them fitting for the time. The novel is set in England during the regency period, and the scenarios seem to fit the time period.

All told, this is a fun novel with a bit of romance, a bit of paranormal, and a bit of building suspense from the beginning through to the end. Most readers will find that they will want to read all of the subsequent novels in the series.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Excellent Regency era mystery with a paranormal flair. I enjoyed the characters and the backgrounds of each. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I truly enjoyed reading this novel. I’d read the next book in this series in a heartbeat! It reminded me of a PBS series, Miss Scarlett and the Duke. One of my favorite shows!

I honestly don’t know where to start because it basically has everything thrown into it. The author has the ability to weave one drama after another drama and manages to tie them in especially at the end. It has Hugh, the Duke, the amateur investigator and heroine, Audrey, a bit of psychic ability, murder, family, and a touch of forbidden romance because Aubrey is married. See what I mean? I’m telling ya, you do not want to pass up this book! Oh.Did I mentioned it set in during Regency time.
Aubrey finds out her husband was arrested for a murder he didn’t do. He was at the wrong time and the wrong place. Desperate to keep her husband’s and their secret intact, she decided to do some sleuthing on her own which infuriates Hugh who’s an officer (police) and tries to prevent her a couple of times. It was amusing to read their banters and their stubbornness. However, Aubrey’s persistences and determination has won her case to be solved at the end therefore releasing her dear husband from jail before the trial even started. There is some attraction between Aubrey and Hugh but….well you’re just going to have to read and find out for yourself!
I’m really impressed with the author’s writing skills and being able to entertain me all throughout the book. I’m planning on picking up the rest of the books she’s written and read them in a heartbeat!
Four and half stars from me.
Thank you BookGoSocial and NetGalley for allowing me to read this delightful Advanced Reader’s Copy.
As usual, all of my reviews are purely my own opinions without any influence from any publisher.

Excellent start to a series and it held my attention from the beginning. I enjoyed the pacing, plotting, atmosphere, and characters in this book immensely. The entire reading experience was immersive and gripping and I am eagerly anticipating the next installment.

The first in a new series from Cara Devlin, I am delighted to review Murder at the Seven Dials. This is a historical whodunit featuring a Duke accused of murder and his wife, the Duchess. This seems like an open and shut case for Hugh Marsden, a Bow Street officer but all is not as it seems. Audrey knows in her bones that her husband is innocent, so she sets out to investigate herself.
The unlikely pair find a way to achieve their respective goals. I do recommend having a read, although I note that the Americanisms can irk some, me included, but they are not too obvious.
Many thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for an opportunity to read and review Murder at the Seven Dials.
#MurderattheSevenDials #NetGalley.

In this first book of Cara Devlin's new Regency-era murder/mystery series, we are introduced to Hugh Marsden, a Bow Street Runner, and Audrey Sinclair, the Duchess of Fournier. They are brought together by a horrible murder - the bloody slashing death of an opera singer in a suite of rooms where Philip, the Duke of Fournier, is found drenched in blood and incoherent, knife by his side. Officer Marsden believes the case open-and-shut, while Audrey is absolutely convinced of her husband's innocence.

What follows is an intriguing murder mystery, as Audrey recklessly forges ahead with her investigation, only to be stymied and eventually aided by Hugh Marsden. We quickly learn that Audrey and Philip's marriage is a shield for their respective secrets - Philip's secret is why Audrey knows that Philip was not interested in an affair with a woman, while Audrey's secret is a heck of a plot device as she is able to discern past events when she touches an item. For example, as she finds an earbob from the dead opera singer, she sees a partial image of the killer.

Hugh Marsden has a past, which slowly comes into focus as the story unfolds. The murder / mystery is densely plotted and continues to hold interest as the intrigue gets more complex and more suspects and motives are unveiled. In addition, the author deftly balances the drudging respect that Marsden develops for Audrey, with his interest in her as a woman. It's a nicely done very slow burn, which has some interesting possibilities.

When the murderer is finally revealed, it feels a bit too abrupt, or maybe it's just that we've been led along a merry bloody chase and then suddenly it's over. However, I was delighted to read the first chapter of the next book in the series, and am anxiously to read more about Audrey and Marsden. 4.5 stars.

Murder mystery Regency that features a bow street runner and Duchess investigating a murder supposedly committed by her husband. She has a magical power to see memories when she touches objects which made for a fun twist.

I loved her style of writing and read the book in two days. I'm excited for this series to continue.

There are adult themes in this book but she kept it PG-13 which I appreciated. For example, details of a violent murder, drugs, prostitutes, gambling, and homosexuality. There were places that existed back then that accommodated these things that the nobility participated in secretly. Knowing the Regency "rules" of propriety made this an interesting read.

Despite the duchess being in a loveless marriage, she is STILL married and it would be scandalous to have an affair with the main protagonist. I'm curious where this relationship is headed because during the Regency period you couldn't divorce your husband.

It bothered me that Hugh didn't investigate obvious things. For example, he would have searched the victim's room at the theater where she worked the first day of his investigation! I was excited to see him strategize and figure it out but it was more about him chasing the Duchess around town keeping her alive while she solved the crime.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Murder at the Seven Dials: A Bow Street Duchess Mystery by Cara Devlin is a delightful recency era mystery. I enjoyed the plot and scenery of the early 1800’s. Two unlikely people join together to solve a murder and save a loved one. I am looking forward to reading more about these characters.

***** I received an ARC from NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my honest review. *****

I attempted this book multiple times but I couldn’t get into it enough to finish. The pacing was all over the place and I didn’t exactly like the FMC, even though the MMC (not her hubs) was a really interesting character. I didn’t particularly like the budding romance between them? I would have preferred them to be platonic friends or for her to be a widow. I was also surprised that her “gift/curse” was literal, and brought in a paranormal aspect I typically don’t like in mysteries.

Thank you for the advance reader copy via NatGalley. All thoughts are my own.

“Murder at the Seven Dials” by Cara Devlin is a well-written historical mystery with a compelling plot. I read it in one day and I hope it is the beginning of a new series from Cara Devlin (please?). An enjoyable and easy read for fans of cozy mysteries.

Murder at the Seven Dials is the first in the Bow Street Duchess series. Duchess Audrey Sinclair's husband stands accused of murder after he is found in a seedy room with a slain opera singer. One of Bow Street's finest, Hugh Marsden thinks the case is open and shut but is soon convinced by the Duchess that all is not what it seems.

I really enjoyed this book and sped through it. It was just what I needed. I liked the interplay between the two main characters and appreciated that Duchess Audrey's supernatural/psychic gifts were not completely over the top. If you enjoy shows like PBS's Scarlett and the Duke, I think you will enjoy this book too. I look forward to the next in the series.