The Elgin conspiracy starts just after the events of The Persephone Code.

Jacob and Dora are still together but she is wondering whether she should go back north to resume her acting career.

All that is put on hold when Lord Elgin reaches out to them to solve a mystery.

In a fast paced, action packed story, we are led from London to Scotland and back to try and find clues to solve the matter.

I found this book moved faster than the first one, I liked the characters' banter and the new friends they gather along the way.

I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily, thanks to the author for it.

An enticing Regency-era whodunit, with a dash of romance, and surprisingly rich in contemporary relevance.

"The Elgin Conspiracy" by Julia Golding is book two in the Regency Secrets series. At the time of initially starting to read the book, I did not realise it was a sequel, however there are a number of references throughout the book to the first installment. Whilst the first book was not essential to understanding "The Elgin Conspiracy", I am likely to go back and read it to fully appreciate the story and character development.

The heart of the mystery centres on Lord Elgin and the Parthenon Marbles, as our protagonists' Dora and Jacob unravel a complex web of deceit, treachery, and political intrigue. The novel's mystery is particularly relevant today, given the ongoing debates about the rightful ownership of the Parthenon Marbles. It explores cultural restitution, colonial legacies, preservation needs, and the ethics of museum collections—questions that generate an underlying tension and make for a compelling story. The historical dispute over the Marbles' ownership echoes current discussions about the return of cultural artifacts, adding significant depth and relevance to the narrative.

The professional and romantic tension between Dora and Jacob further enhances the story, particularly due to their stark social divide. Jacob's gentlemanly manners and idealism often clash with Dora's pragmatism, work ethic, and street smarts, creating a dynamic as intriguing as the mystery they’re trying to solve. Their evolving relationship subtly critiques the societal norms that separate them, adding another layer of complexity to the story.

I enjoyed this story, and feel that the book successfully blended an interesting murder mystery with observations on Regency Society, and ethical issues around museum collections. I thank NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Dora and Jacob have quickly made it onto my list of favorite sleuthing couples. I was thrilled to see the charming cover of this book, which instantly reminded me of the first book in this series.

The Elgin in the title is THAT Elgin and the famous marbles are central to this story. Associates of Elgin's are being killed and threats written in Greek are being sent to people. Even someone who knows the story of the marbles and the controversy around them will find this story enlightening, as we get characters with different motivations and reasons for being involved. The investigation takes Dora and Jacob out of the country (and back) and involves people from England, Scotland, Greece, and France. This isn't a straightforward whodunit, it's a fun roller coaster!

When it comes to the romantic plot and development of Dora and Jacob's characters, this book builds on the first, While it can be read alone, seeing how their relationship develops is incredibly satisfying when you know the backstory. Dora's concerns about their class difference are valid and it's great to see Jacob acknowledging that, sometimes with Dora's help and sometimes not.

Side note about their relationship: A lot of historical mystery has a slow burn romantic subplot. Readers wait years to see their main characters come together in some series. It was fun to see Dora and Jacob come together in the first book and really interesting to see the evolution of that relationship in this installment.

This read was a first for me from the author Julia Golding, but by the second chapter is hooked into finding out who was the culprit. It was a page turner and not my usual pick. Free ARC from net galley for honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

I started this book before raising this was a second in a series and starts a week after where the first book ended. I did have to buy the first book to get the background.

This continues the story of Dora Fitz-Pennington and Doctor Jacob Sandys. After they had successfully solved the murder of Dora brother and the horrors of Hellfire Club. They have been approached by Earl Elgin , to help with another murder mystery.

This time they are both going undercover and going into Earl Elgin ex wives home in Edinburgh.

This series is really unique and fun mystery set ina regency back drop. Dora is strong willed and feisty character , and Dr Jacob Sandy is a simp for her.

Really loved this series and I am so invested in where their relationship grows and to see more of Alex Smith and Kir.

This Regency adventure story was intriguing from start to finish.

The cast of characters was diverse and interesting and the political controversy affiliated with an English Lord “ saving”;the Elgin Marbles was fascinating to me.

For those of us who learn history through historical novels, the contemporary British feelings about Napoleon were interesting to read about , as were the debates on who should rightfully exhibit the marble statuary.

This was a really engaging “spy” novel and I hope to encounter the protagonists in another novel.

Netgalley provided me a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a candid review.