Murder at the Seven Dials

There are many beautifully plotted historical mystery series that have a dash of romance in that, but how many throw in a fascinating bit of paranormal? Murder at the Seven Dials shines because it of that last bit. Duchess Fournier, Audrey Sinclair, has the ability to hold an object and see its past. That ability had her locked up in a sanatorium once until she faked it leaving her. Her husband has a different sort of secret and they married with the promise to protect each other's secrets. When the Duke of Fournier gets caught up in a murder, Audrey is the lone person who knows he's innocent, but the reason is tied to his secret, so Audrey is determined to prove his innocence by other means. Audrey has to convince the Bow Street runner, Hugh Marsden, that he's arrested the wrong man.

The writing is clever and the different points of view are clear in the changes in style. There are some points where the reader doesn't get full information, but the result is enticing instead of being frustrating, which can sometimes happen when that tactic is employed. The wait for the reveal after those moments doesn't take too long, which adds to the fast pace feeling in this story. There are a few background details about the main characters that never come to light, but this is only the first book in a series. I'll certainly be reading on!

If you think characters being married means there isn't a romantic subplot, that would be wrong. There manages to be some delightful romantic tension here.

A cute quick historical fiction meets mystery novel (novella?) that kicks off what seems like is a great series! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

The first book in what promises to be a new series, featuring Audrey Sinclair, duchess of Fournier and Bow Street Officer Hugh Marsden. In the inaugural book, an opera singer is viciously murdered and Hugh is called to the scene. There he finds the Duke of Fournier (Audrey's husband) covered in blood. With no love of the aristocracy, Hugh arrests the Duke for murder. Audrey knows her husband could not have killed the opera singer and sets out to investigate, much to Hugh's displeasure. Oh, and did I mention that Audrey has a paranormal gift in that she can see an object's past when she holds it. I liked Murder at the Seven Dials. Cara Devlin has created characters that have enough baggage and secrets that are not usually found in a typical Regency mystery. I look forward to reading the second book.

I enjoyed this book a lot, although it started stronger for me than it ended. The genre is mystery, but there's a slow-burn romance simmering under the surface that I imagine will have a payoff in a future installment.

The Duchess of Fournier's husband is accused of killing an opera singer believed to be his lover. The duchess is sure he neither had an arrangement with the singer nor killed her. The Bow Street Runner who was alerted to the death, and was first on the scene, is convinced the duke is guilty. He was found covered in blood and catatonic.

The duchess, Audrey, has the ability to perform psychometry -- touch items and read their histories -- and decides to use this skill to prove her husband's innocent. The Bow Street Runner keeps discovering her in the process of her investigation, and almost seamlessly, they begin working together.

I really liked the opening of the book, which felt gritty and dark, but that tone for long periods gave way to what felt a little more of a romance novel vibe. I also like, love, romance novels, but the beginning kinda sold me on the idea of something grittier. I mean, there's a lot at stake, more death, guns, and I'm in no way saying it's tame. The autopsy scene was plenty gross!

The mystery kept my interest steady. This book reminded me a little of the Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas, and those mysteries work a little better for me in terms of surprises and misdirects, but the mystery here worked well.

The dialogue and use of Regency vernacular really worked for me. I went down a lot of historical rabbit holes as a result, which is a thing I like, and those details set the mood for me. I think it's the quality that made me know I'd enjoy the book.

I liked Audrey, and Marsden, and their chemistry. And I know I'm interested in what happens in future books. I'd like to see Audrey come into her own. This could be a really good series.

Gory murder in early 19th century England. Apparent murdered found with the body. Duchess of Fournier, his wife, 'knows' that he's innocent, Bow Street Runner Hugh Marsden thinks otherwise. Intriguing aspects to the murder and social history while the two very different people clash during the investigations. A promising start to a series.. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

What's not to love? A duchess with a strange gift collides with a Bow Street officer with a chip on his shoulder. I'm a fan of Anne Perry mysteries, and even the title snagged my attention. The dark alleys and the flashy opera boxes of 19th century London serve as the setting of this well-drawn story.

I'm not sure whether to label the duchess's gift as "paranormal." She herself calls it "energy" that lingers with objects. The story doesn't have a true paranormal vibe. The duchess is merely at risk for being misunderstood--she was thrown into an asylum at one point and keeps her secret safe. Her husband knows. He keeps her secret and she keeps his.

I loved the way the main characters changed during the course of the book. Kinda like Pride and Prejudice. Only the duchess takes Mr. Darcy's role and the officer is Elizabeth Bennet. A great start to a series!

There are adult themes in this book (for example, mentions of homosexuality). And of course there is a bloody murder. But the author manages to keep things in the PG-13 realm overall, and I am thankful for that.

I received a free pre-publication copy for review but my opinions are my own.

Being a lover of the historical crime / mystery novels of C.S Harris, Ambrose Parry, Anna Lee Huber and Anne Perry and Tasha Alexander I was eager to try Murder at the seven dials by Cara Devlin hoping it would stand up to those. It certainly did.

A great read well written and researched with plenty of twists and turns. Apart from the main story with a gory murder of an opera star to solve the two main characters Hugh and Audrey had interesting back stories themselves. These were tantalisingly dangled and we got to know Audrey's secret early on although by the end of the novel although you had some idea of Hugh's fall from grace it felt you still had not got to the bottom of what really happened. As usual there is an interesting will they won't they get together at play. But that plus getting to know Hugh's back story just gives more reason to want to read the next one to see if there is more detail as I don't suppose Hugh's story was as straightforward as it seemed.

The other characters of Sir and Dr Thornton supported the story well and I am sure will feature in many more of the series to come.

This was definitely one to read for lovers of this genre and I will be reading more in the series as they come out. The brief introduction to the next one at the end of this novel made me want to download the next.

Well written with a gripping storyline and well developed characters. The author did a great job of taking the reader back to the regency era with the bow street runners and so forth. A good level of mystery, suspense and twists also kept me guessing.

This was a great start to a new series. I’m a real sucker for historical mysteries and this one just hit all the right spots. The Duchess of Fournier must use her brains, courage, and supernatural skills to save her husband who has been arrested for killing an opera singer. She works alongside the interesting and attractive Bow Street runner, Hugh Marsden, to try to figure out who framed her husband.

There are so many great historical mystery series these days that arrange to have a slow-burn romance develop between the two protagonists over a number of books and Cara Devlin has hit a home run with this new entry. I can’t wait to find out how the mutual attraction between the Duchess and the Runner will develop and what further mysteries they will solve together.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

I've read quite a few mysteries set in 19th century England featuring a male/female sleuth pairing, and I was expecting this to be similar to the Veronica Speedwell series or the Wrexford & Sloane mysteries, and in some ways it was, but it does have an extra element that sets it apart. Audrey Sinclair, duchess and wife of an accused murderer, has a supernatural ability to touch an object and see what are essentially memories, or images of things the object would have witnessed. It's pretty handy for solving mysteries but typically hasn't been received well by Audrey's family or society in general, which is part of why she was secretly committed to an institution for two years. After her release (and several years before the events of this book), she married her childhood friend, the Duke of Fournier, and they vowed to keep each other's secrets. She knows that he did not brutally murder the opera singer whose body was found in rooms he rented while he cowered in the corner in a daze, and she works hard to convince Bow Street Officer Hugh Marsden of this. The end up investigating together, forming a begrudging alliance that ends up turning into more of a friendship. I enjoyed this and am looking forward to more!

Very good book! Audrey’s a duchess whose husband is accused of a grisly murder of an opera singer who’s supposedly his mistress. Audrey definitely knows this isn’t true ( she has a special ability) and starts her own investigation to free her husband. The arresting officer, Hugh, was raised by the aristocracy but had a dramatic exit from it. Audrey and Hugh eventually work together and trust each other with secrets to figure out the truth. I thought this book was great, every character had a great back story. A must read! I can’t wait to read the next in the series!

A great start to a series that I am definitely keen to continue reading! I wasn't entirely certain what to expect as this is my first read of Devlin, but it was a well written story with plenty of intriguing characters and hooks to keep pulling the narrative forward, and Devlin does an excellent job of balancing this book's plot with what is clearly going to be an overarching romance; giving the reader plenty to care about and be curious about going forward whilst still managing to wrap up the main mystery within this book.

The tone of the book is quite dark, but never so bleak that it feels miserable to read, and characters are well-drawn and easy to sympathise with. Marsden and Audrey have believable tension that doesn't feel rushed and both of their backstory's (Audrey's paranormal abilities and Marsden's presumed past scandals) are really interesting. I'm definitely curious to see where they're going to go, and anyone who is a fan of a slow-burn romance is sure to enjoy them.

Overall, it's a great book - I sat down and read it cover to cover in more or less one sitting - with a solid mystery, characters who you'll want to know more about, and a fast-paced narrative.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I loved, loved, loved this book! It sucks you in right from the beginning and keeps you guessing as to what will happen next right up until the real killer is unmasked. The underlying connection/attraction between Audrey and Hugh added to the tension between the two - especially since you know it cannot go anywhere. I'm really curious to see what will happen between the two of them in future novels. The paranormal aspect also sets this book apart from other murder mysteries taking place in this time period. I definitely got the feeling that, although she didn't go about things in the best manner during this investigation, Audrey will become a pretty good investigator in her own right as the series goes on. I'm hoping for some more between Audrey and her husband to resolve a lot of what happened here - he did hurt Audrey with the secrets he was keeping and she deserved better. I can't wait to see what happens in book 2 of the series!

What a good mystery! This is a genuine mystery, a horrendous murder, a Duke is arrested, and the young Duchess, Audrey, emphatically denies that her husband could do such a heinous act! However, Hugh Marsden, handsome Bow Street Runner, an Officer, and illegitimate son of a Viscount believes the Duke is guilty, and the hunt is on for a vicious murderer. I am so impressed with the writing, the historical aspects are what they all tend to be, the Duchess is a feminist who goes where no lady would have ventured in this time period. I can happily overlook that in exchange for a good story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I cannot wait to read her next in this new series.
I highly recommend this book to all mystery lovers. You will not be disappointed.
Thank you #Netgalley
carolintallahassee

Happy New Year all.

Now onto my first review for 2023. This was a treat covering several genres.

When the aristocracy are involved, it never bodes well for Bow Street and for the
detectives involved. With some agile maneuvreing the high and mighty close ranks not
even bothering to be interviewed despite all signs pointing to tgem being perpetrators
of the crime.

In this story, we find the Duke of Fourniers covered in blood, cowering, speechless
in the room ofa brutally murdered opera singer. He does not give any explanation for
his presence or offer any for his defence. Hugh Marsden the officer in charge arrests him,
keeping him in a room in a tavern rather than carting him offto jail. The Duchess so far
has been a young woman of a retiring nature. In this case she knows that her husband
is innocent. It is a secret that cannot be disclosed as it will cut the entire family
away from their circles, apart from bringing revulsion amongst most people of their time.
The Duke apart from taking opium, is a confirmed homosexual whose relationships have
upto now been a very closed secret one his wife is aware of. She has a secret of her own,
one which put her in an asylum for two years. Audrey has the ability to see events from
inanimate objects and for this ability, she has suffered greatly. Despite her aversion
to the officer, and her inability to know very much about the demi monde, she begins
her own investigation using whatever objects she can pilfer from the scene of the crime.

Unraveling the story Hugh and Audrey find out who the murderers actually are, going against
the society they are a part of and bring about justice not just for Philip but for the
two victims as well.

I loved this intro into the series. Audrey Sinclair, the Duchess of Fournier, is an amazing heroine. Her relationship with her husband is one of mutal friendship, which is further complicated when he is accused of the murder of an opera singer. The former nobleman in charge of the invesitgation, Hugh Marsden, is convinced of his guilt. Will Audrey be able to change his mind without revealing family secrets? Also, how will she cope with a growing attraction for the Bow Street runner. I can't wait to read more of this author/series.

Thank you, BooksGoSocial and Netgalley for the free copy of the eARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I've always enjoyed a murder/mystery with my romance, so I was intrigued when I read the blurb. I wasn't off the mark and enjoyed this historical mystery immensely. I'd find the story engrossing and the plot well done. Each secret is being revealed layer upon layer, and there were enough twists and turns to keep you at the edge of your seat. I appreciate the historical details that Ms Devlin has included, such as the descriptions of the clothing and the buildings; these felt very true to the period. I was pleasantly surprised by the touch of paranormal here regarding Audrey's abilities (think Phoebe from the Charmed series). Hugh, the Bow Street officer and Audrey's backgrounds weren't as fleshed out as I liked them to be, but since this is the first book of an ongoing series, I'm pretty sure Ms Devlin will slowly reveal their histories in the following books. The attraction between them is palpable, and with her being a married duchess, I'm intrigued by how these two relationships will pan out. I'm not too fond of the fact that Hugh has a mistress, but since nothing is being shown on the page, it didn't really bother me. I hope the author will dispense with the mistress in the following books. I hope the next one will come out soon!

Cara Devlin’s “Murder at the Seven Dials” is the first in the Bow Street Duchess series. Audrey Sinclair’s husband, the Duke of Fournier, has been accused of a brutal murder, and the evidence against him is damning. Despite the way things look, Audrey believes he is innocent and works to prove it. Along the way she butts heads with Bow Street Officer Hugh Marsden, who later comes to see Audrey as a valuable, but exasperating, ally in the investigation. As they get deeper into the mystery, closely held secrets come out and lead the pair closer to uncovering the truth about the killer.

Historical mysteries are my preferred genre at the moment, so this story is right up my alley. “Murder at the Seven Dials” is well-paced and filled with interesting characters. Audrey’s special ability adds a touch of the paranormal, but is not heavy-handed. I am intrigued by the secrets and backstories of the central characters. This is an excellent first in a series and I am looking forward to the next installment.

This story is great for those who like mysteries, historical mysteries, and regency mysteries.

Thanks to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and Cara Devlin for an advance reader copy of “Murder at the Seven Dials” in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

“Murder at the Seven Dials” releases on Kindle at the end of January.

I read this as an ARC thank you Netgalley for the free copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own. I recommend readers of Lady Sherlock or fans of historical mysteries to read this book. I very much enjoyed it. I have not read this author before but plan to continue this series and look into her other books. I enjoyed the use of the paranormal aspect here and it was not overdone, and it was made believable. The mystery was good, and I didn't guess how it was done. Strong leading characters with a strong smart woman that is loyal and has suffered for her abilities. There is a sexual tension throughout the book.

4.5/5 stars
0 spice but you can tell something is building...

This story was intriguing and held my attention from the first page. I love a good mystery and loved how everything unfolded. There really wasn't a boring moment in terms of the crime.

Tropes:
Historical mystery (with a chance of romance)
Murder plot
Class differences
A touch of paranormal

Officer Marsden (Hugh) and the Duchess (Audrey) were a great team. I'm so glad they built a foundation of trust. I am, however, on tenterhooks waiting to see how their relationship develops into something more. We barely get a morsel of affection building in this book... it was agonizing! But it doesn't take away from the story. I was still highly entertained with the murder plot. So just go in knowing that the romance is very very minimal in this book... not even closed door.

Overall loved this book and would still recommend but not as a romance.

I received an ARC from BooksGoSocial and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a great read! It cost me the best part of my Saturday because once I started I couldn’t stop and finished this great story in one sitting!
You are thrown straight into the story with the gruesome discovery of a murdered opera singer and the pace of this fun Regency murder mystery doesn’t let up from there. I love the added paranormal twist too, Audrey the Duchess Fournier has the ability to see an objects history when she holds it. This isn’t over used though but just woven easily throughout the story. There is also a delightful ‘will they won’t they’ thread between our two main characters which even this non romance reader enjoyed!
This really was an entertaining and delightful Regency adventure and I for one can’t wait till I have the opportunity to enjoy a future instalment of this new series.
I received a free advance copy of this for free and I am writing this review voluntarily and very willingly.

What a fantastically interesting cast of characters. A duchess in an unconventional marriage and an Officer with an intriguing back story; add in a dash of paranormal and this book is not the usual historical fiction with romantic undertones. Excited to read the rest of the series.

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. I don't usually read novels set in historical settings but this was an easy book to dive into the genre with. The plot was gripping, the pace was perfect, and the tension was surprising. Devlin's writing was easy to read and the world building felt effortless to understand.

I personally found the paranormal aspects super interesting but not very original. However, it was done in a way that felt natural in the story, and left me intrigued to how the investigation would play out. Due to the nature of some of the characters secrets, the stakes were high and I couldn't wait to find out if everyone's secrets would come out.

Overall, I would recommend this book for those looking to dip their toes into historical mystery and for those who already love this genre.

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

Excellent mystery! This new-to-me author has presented a baffling murder mystery that includes a determined duchess, a prejudiced Bow Street officer, and social stigma along with a tad of the paranormal. Way to go! I’m rarely a fan of anything paranormal in the books I read, but this was done so well I didn’t mind it at all – I even rooted for it to be used even more. For me, the story was a bit slow and dragged a tad, but as the introduction to a new series, it had to make all of the proper character introductions and set-ups, so I have to allow for that. Still, it did seem a fair amount longer than the 317 pages it was. Oh! And before I forget to mention it – you have the first (or most of the first) chapter of the next book at the end of this one.

Audrey Sinclair, Duchess of Fournier, and Philip Sinclair, Duke of Fournier are not a love match. It is, however, a match of affection, care, and respect between two long-time friends who each have deep, serious secrets to hide. Their marriage gives each of them a layer of protection from the ton who would be aghast if they learned them. They also agreed there would be total honesty within the marriage, yet to Audrey’s horror, it appears Philip hasn’t exactly been honest lately.

In the wee hours of the morning, Audrey and the household were awakened when a message from Bow Street arrived. Philip had been found, incoherent, at the scene of a grisly murder in a crumbling tenant dwelling in Seven Dials. Philip was covered in blood and the murder weapon was close to him. Audrey knew immediately that Philip hadn’t committed the murder, he couldn’t have, that was part of his secret, but she couldn’t tell his secret and she had no way to show his innocence.

Bow Street Principal Officer, Hugh Marsden, has a raging prejudice against aristocrats and it pleased him immensely when there was no doubt that a duke has committed a most heinous crime. Yes, this duke was going to be arrested, tried, and hanged if he had his way about it. Who could doubt he was guilty – he was covered in blood – his mistress's blood – and the murder weapon was at his feet. Contrary to what that little duchess kept telling him, he knew the duke was guilty. He’d just send her back to her palatial home to embroider while he wrapped up the case.

However, that little duchess was a whole lot more than Hugh bargained for. She did not follow instructions well and proceeded to investigate the case for herself. She was tooling around asking questions of dangerous people in dangerous places. Everywhere he turned there she was. Now, it seemed he’d have to keep her safe and protect her from herself while finishing up the case. Humpf!

I enjoyed watching Hugh trying to thwart Audrey and keep her out of trouble, and I also enjoyed watching him slowly come to believe that she just might be right about the murder. Uh Oh!

I hope I have found a new favorite author and series, but I’m going to reserve judgment on that. You see, I have to have a bit of romance to go along with my mysteries and I’m just not sure how the author is going to manage to do that given the circumstances. I would NEVER be satisfied with an affair between Audrey and Hugh – even though she and the duke have already agreed that those kinds of things are acceptable to them. So, what does that leave? It leaves the duke dying to free up Audrey so she and Hugh can be together. I cannot imagine what acceptable (to me) way the author can manage to do that. You see, if she’d killed him off in this book I would have been okay with it – but once I’ve met him and mildly liked him (at least felt empathy for him), then killing him off just won’t work for me. It would be sort of like watching a movie where the dog dies. So, I’m reserving judgment on the new favorite author and series until I see where the romance is heading.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Duchess with a paranormal attribute and a connection to the murdered opera singer and the bow street runner with a connection to nobles (a frayed one at that). Can they work together and unravel who killed the Singer or will they fail and an innocent man be hung cause he would rather keep his secrets?
first off this book is amazing and I'm ecstatic about this being a series. Regency-thriller and everything nice! Riveting and thrilling all wrapped in one, I found the FMC to be unique, at first I did think for a moment hmm girl your trust should not be given sooo freely cause he super guilty.lol IF YOU LOVE SLEUTHING READS like me this is the book for you!


thank you Netgally for an amazing read.

This story was quite intriguing and captivating. It held my attention with its intriguing plot and scenarios. Detective Marsden and the Duchess were combative and insulting to each other. Be it as it may, they were able to put aside their distaste for each other while trying to solve a heinous murder.

A well written and plotted historical mystery with an unusual paranormal twist that made for a fascinating read. I very much enjoyed this and loved the unusual twists and turns. I have not read this author before but plan to continue this series and look into her other books as this was so enjoyable can't wait for the next book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

My first novel by this author and I was intrigued!

The writing is really good and captures the Regency time period really well! This story has a bit of everything. Historical Fiction with a mystery and a dash of paranormal with a sprinkle of romance.

The story starts off really strong. A member of the ton...a Duke in fact is found in a shady area of London known as, "The Seven Dials" with a dead opera singer in the bed. He's immediately arrested for murder. His Duchess (Audrey) believes wholeheartedly that he is not guilty and she clashes with the arresting Bow Street Runner Officer (Hugh.). Audrey starts investigating on her own to prove her husband's innocence. Hugh reluctantly begins to go along with her. There is an undercurrent of attraction on both sides but the story is primarily a mystery.

This is the first book in a new mystery series featuring the Duchess. She continues to run into the Bow Street Runner while trying to solve crimes as an amateur sleuth who has a secret. I think fans of the PBS show, "Miss Scarlet and the Duke" (which I love) would really enjoy this series.

I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for granting me access to this Advance Reader Copy.

When her husband is arrested for murdering an opera singer, the Duchess of Fournier, Audrey Sinclair is determined to prove his innocence. She will have to find a way to prove it without revealing secrets. However, people are not happy being questioned by a duchess and she puts herself in danger.
Bow Street Officer Hugh Marsden is convinced he has the right man, but Audrey's investigation will have him revisiting the details noted at the murder scene. When they combine forces, each must deal with how family and associates view their collaboration.
Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
#MurderattheSevenDials #NetGalley

In 1819 London, the Duke and Duchess of Fournier have kept secrets for each other. Bow Street officer and illegitimate son of a Lord, Hugh Marsden has a grisly murder of a opera singer to solve and the Duke is certainly the murderer and the opera singer was certainly his mistress…case closed. Except, Audrey the Duchess of Fournier knows that her husband couldn’t have a mistress, not because they have a passionate love match, but because she knows his extramarital encounters are exclusively with men….a heinous crime at that time. She also knows he’s not the killer because she has the ability to see past experiences from people and objects she touches…the ability that sent her to an asylum for two years as a young girl. So why is the Duke found at the murder scene, covered in the opera singer’s blood, and in a complete stupor? Audrey conducts her own, amateur and dangerous investigation to identify the true killer and incites the wrath and perhaps admiration of Hugh Marsden in the process. This is the first book in what promises to be a fun historical mystery series.

Whispers and hints of things unseen!

Coldly competent Bow street runner meets stubborn Duchess in high indignation over arrest of her husband for murder.
Philip Sinclair, Duke of Fournier has secrets, as does Audrey Sinclair, his Duchess.
Their marriage is that of true friends and in no way was she going to allow Philip to be framed for the murder of the actress / opera singer, Belladora Lovejoy, of the Drury Lane Theatre.
Hugh Marsden, a principal office with the Bow Street runners has his own secrets, not all revealed, but the ton has plenty to say
Belladora, brutally murdered, is some one’s mistress, but whose?
Audrey has an ability that had caused her to be locked away in an asylum, the Shadewell Sanatorium, by her family, thinking her mad.
Objects speak to her. She’s ready to risk all to find the true culprit.
A foray into gaming hells and worse has Hugh on edge and fearing for Audrey’s safety when he’s not cursing her often impulsive actions.
Great start to a new investigative team of Regency times, with the added intriguing aspect of the gift of “sight” for one member. I’m already looking forward to the next in the series!

A BooksGoSocial ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.

"A murdered opera singer. A duke drenched in her blood. For Bow Street Officer Hugh Marsden, the brutal killing is a straightforward case. Ever since his exile from polite society, the chance to arrest a high and mighty peer of the realm has never presented itself. Hugh won’t snub the opportunity now"
The Duke is framed for the murder. He is innocent but he can't tell the authorities the truth. The Duchess is in trouble up to her ears but can she see her husband exonerated.
This is an exceptional mystery. I have never read a book by this author before but I will be on the lookout for more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Wow!! This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed the writing style! She makes 19th Century London come alive! The descriptions are rich and I could picture the scenes in my head as though I was right there with the characters. That's the first of many things I like about this book. Apart from writing style, I also like the characters. The bold duchess who is so different from the rest of the ton, the Bow Street officer with a dark past and the TENSION between them. It's a delicious slow burn. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author and following the relationship /friendship between the main characters. The murder plot is also interesting and not entirely predictable! I find that the way Audrey could see into the past was well described as well. All in all, an enjoyable page turner. 4.5 stars. Thanks to netgalley for this ARC.

1819. Seven Dials London. Philip Sinclair, Duke of Fournier is discovered covered in the blood of dead opera singer Belladora Lovejoy. Who had been stabbed multiple times. He is arrested by Principal Officer at Bow Street, Hugh Marsden. Audrey, Duchess of Fournier, along side Marsden, knowing her husband is innocent investigates with the help of her special skill.
An entertaining well-written historical mystery with its element of paranormal. A good start to this new series though I didn't take to the character of Audrey. Hopefully she will improve as the series continues.
An ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars
A murdered opera singer. A duke drenched in her blood. For Bow Street Officer Hugh Marsden, the brutal killing is a straightforward case. But Audrey Sinclair, the Duchess of Fournier, is certain her husband Philip is wrongly accused, after all she knows her husband and she’s determined to prove it to the arrogant Bow Street officer, even if she must employ her most peculiar ability—or perhaps curse—to guide her investigation. Exasperated with the meddling duchess, Hugh is convinced she is protecting her own secrets, and the duke’s. But when Audrey’s discoveries persuade him to believe the true killer is still at large, he has no choice but to join her in the hunt—if only to keep her from becoming the next victim.
A new author to me & a new series & I found it to be a very well written engrossing book. The murder mystery was intriguing & how & why it was committed had me guessing until the last moment. The characters were well portrayed with plenty of depth. I loved both Hugh & Audrey & loved how the dynamics of their relationship grew & changed especially after she divulged some secrets. She was one determined lady & I admired her for doing what she had to in order to help Philip. He was intelligent, open minded & not afraid to be wrong, the chemistry between them just grew but I'm not sure where it can go as Audrey is married, it may be an unusual marriage but married she is.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

With a mix of historical fiction, a perplexing mystery and a hint of the supernatural, “Murder at the Seven Dials” by Cara Hunter is a strong entry in a new murder mystery series.
Hugh Marsden is a Bow Street police officer and he is the first officer on the scene at a violent murder. A young opera singer was murdered and the immediate suspect is found covered in her blood. The suspect however, turns out to be the Duke of Fournier.
As soon as news of the murder reaches her ears, the Duchess launches her own investigation and immediately comes into conflict with Marsden. After some awkward meetings, they begin to trust one another and start working together on the case.
To summarise: Dark, yet funny, romantic and highly entertaining, I’m eagerly looking forward to the next outing for our unlikely duo.

Murder at the Seven Dials by Cara Devlin
Bow Street Duchess #1

Excellent introduction to a new series. Couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for book two.

What I liked;
* Audrey: Duchess of Fournier, married to her childhood friend and keeps his secret as he keeps hers, extrasensory perception of psychometry, has spent time in an asylum due to her paranormal ability, seeks to prove her husband is not guilty of the murder he was arrested for, admirable, strong, intelligent, intriguing
* Huge Marsden: principal Bow Street officer, nanny’s son, Viscount’s by-blow, scandal in his past, good friend of Dr. Thornton, well educated and eloquent, willing to admit mistakes, protective, intelligent, accepting, intriguing
* The respect, friendship, and commitment Audrey and Philip have within their marriage – it has saved them both from a difficult alternative future
* Sir: young lad, poor, enterprising, nose to the ground, works off and on for Marsden
* The writing, plot, pacing, character development, potential of the story
* That it reminded me of some favorite historical mysteries I have read in the past
* The way the real murderer is ultimately found and dealt with
* The intricacies of the relationships that may develop that will involve Audrey, Philip, Hugh, and others
* Reading a new-to-me author I hope will become a favorite

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how difficult it would have been to live in this era

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to the NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

A well-developed story with a good mystery and plenty of twists. And some good action and a touch of romance. I love the Regency time period and the author does a good job in recreating the feel of the time as well as the attitudes. The characters have depth and carry baggage that promises to make future stories very interesting. This is the first in a series and I will definitely be reading more of it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.

4.2 Stars
One Liner: Interesting start to a new series

Bow Street Officer Hugh Marsden finds the Duke of Fournier with the murdered body of an opera singer. He arrests the duke, considering it a straightforward case. After all, Hugh got a chance to arrest a peer, and he wasn’t going to let it slip from his hands.
What he didn’t expect was the Duchess of Fournier, Audrey Sinclair, to take an active role in the case and conduct her own investigation. She knows her husband is innocent and is determined to prove it. What secret ability does the duchess have that she is so sure of the duke’s innocence?
Hugh and Audrey continue to clash even as they work to solve the case for separate reasons. Soon, Hugh realizes that the killer is at large and that joining forces with Audrey is the only way to keep her safe. With secrets to safeguard and protect from each other, can the duo solve the case before either of them is targeted by the killer?
The story comes from a limited third-person POV of Hugh and Audrey.

My Thoughts:
This is a steady-paced mystery with the right elements of danger, intrigue, and a touch of paranormal abilities. The story starts strong and continues to keep us hooked.
Audrey is no dainty flower, but she isn’t strong either. She is a mix of determination, vulnerability, fear, and stupidity. Audrey’s reasons justify her actions even if some of her decisions make us shake our heads and roll our eyes.
Hugh’s character arc is well-done. He isn’t without faults but is also quick to acknowledge his mistakes. His murky past adds a layer of intrigue and makes him a sort of brooding hero from the regency era. The primary difference, of course, lies in the fact that Hugh is not one of the ton.
The plot manages to create a subtle tension between the lead pair without overdoing it (given their character backgrounds). It has Lady Julia Grey (series by Deanna Raybourn) vibes, so I’m curious to see how this will be handled in the next books.
The mystery progresses well, revealing information in bits and pieces. I like how the suspect changes with each revelation. The paranormal element is just there, enough to show us what the duchess can and cannot do.
As the first book in the series, it hits the right notes with ease. It provides enough backstory about the characters to set the stage and solve the case.

To summarize, Murder at the Seven Dials is a well-written historical mystery with a good pace, an engaging plotline, and interesting characters. I look forward to reading the next book soon.
Thank you, NetGalley and BooksGoSoical, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I loved this historical mystery!

This book had a complex mystery, interesting characters, and a touch of romantic tension. Regency England is the perfect setting for a dark and dramatic murder. The mystery plot had a lot of depth and kept me guessing as new clues were revealed. The hint of romantic tension between the main characters makes me want to read more in this series

This is my first Cara Devlin book, but after reading Murder at the Seven Dials, I started to search out more of her books to read. I just learned that book two in the series is available on Kindle Unlimited!

When an opera singer is murdered and a duke is found drenched in her blood, Bow Street Officer Hugh Marsden believes this is a straightforward case. But Audrey Sinclair, the Duchess of Fournier, is certain her husband is wrongly accused, and she’s determined to prove it to the arrogant Bow Street officer. She will do everything that she can to guide her investigation. Hugh is convinced that she has her own secrets but with the true killer is still at large, he has no choice but to help her solve the crime.
This is a great murder/mystery with a touch of romance. There are many layers to this story so that it is never considered a simple romance. Whilst there is attraction between the two, she is still married which is a significant component of this book. As a series, this will certainly play out to be interesting concept.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A little bit historical fiction mixed with some mystery makes for an entertaining novel that kicks off what looks to be a great series! I hope it will be a long one.

A gruesome murder, a family with twisted secrets, a gift or a curse... and it is all set in the 19th century London. Trust me, it's a very good set up for the historical series.
Audrey Sinclair, the Duchess of Fournier will do anything to prove her husband's innocence in one of the most gruesome and horrific murders in London. But will she disclose the very private secret to the grumpy and tough Bow Street officer Hugh Marsden? Or won't she. Will her special ability help her or doom her beyond salvation?
Cara Delvin started a very interesting and intriguing Bow Street Duchess Mysteries. I enjoyed the first one. Let's see how it goes.
Highly recommend to the lovers of crime, mystery, historical crime and 19th century England

Oh, I really loved this book. Everything about it appealed to me; historical, murder, paranormal, romance and mystery.

The Duchess and Hugh become unlikely allies after her husband is arrested for the murder of an opera singer. Hugh is certain he has the right man until the evidence starts to create doubt in his mind. He and Audrey keep crossing paths as she conducts her own investigation and they eventually begin to trust one another and work together. I enjoyed watching them become friends and the spark between them will surely lead to more sexual tension in the next book.

The main characters all have interesting backstories. There is still some mystery surrounding Hugh's past but there is enough to understand his background and it will be interesting to find out more as the series progresses.
I liked Audrey's husband, Philip and it leads me to worry about whether there is an impending death for him somewhere along the line to eventually allow Audrey and Hugh to marry.
Hugh's eyes and ears on the street, the boy he calls Sir, was a cute addition and I hope he gets involved in more cases and is rewarded well.

The murder of the opera singer was brutal. It set an ominous and suspenseful tone to the story as Audrey began her investigations by interviewing people any of whom could potentially be the cold-blooded killer.
I found this book difficult to put down and I finished reading it fairly quickly.
I can't wait until March for the next book in the series, Death at Fournier Downs.

A well-deserved five stars for Murder At The Seven Dials.

What made this book a 5-star read for me was the quality of the writing as well as the beautifully executed slow-burn dance between Hugh Marsden, a Bow Street Runner with a complicated, tarnished past, and Audrey Sinclair, Duchess of Fournier. Their evolving relationship, as Audrey tries to free her incarcerated husband, Philip, after he is arrested as the sole suspect in the gruesome murder of an opera singer by Hugh, is riveting to watch, and I found that I couldn't put this book down because I wanted to know what would happen next between them. The story is well-written, the plot well thought out and the characters drawn with depth and nuance. I am looking forward to reading more in this series, not only to see how Audrey can use her gift to help solve mysteries with Hugh, but also to see what happens with these two who have a very strong pull toward each other, despite their differences in station and the fact that Audrey is married. Does Audrey ever get some happiness in her life (I honestly don't think Philip is good enough for her) and does Hugh ever come clean with his burgeoning feelings for her? I hope so, but I plan to continue following this series to find out, especially if the overarcing storyline of their relationship remains as good as it is in this first book of the Bow Street Duchess series. Such a great read that I enjoyed very much!

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.

This is one of those books that I judged based on the cover. I am not too fond of real people on covers, but the title and the blurb sounded exciting. And I am SO glad I picked it up. The characters are absolutely amazing and so real. Audrey is a relatable protagonist. She wants to do so much while being so constrained by society. I liked how she made various mistakes but learns from them every step of the way. Love the relationship between Audrey and Hugh. I'm so glad this is a series, and I can't wait to see what comes next.

On the flip side, the pacing in the first few chapters is a bit off. We are fed a lot of different important information in a rushed manner. I think it would have been better to keep more of the suspense and let the information comes out more organically later in the story.

An excellent book, regardless.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. This unbiased review is being left voluntarily.
I’m seriously already hooked on this series.
It’s really well-written, the characters are well-rounded and the mystery/thriller aspect underscores the chemistry between High and Audrey beautifully.
I can’t wait to read the next one which I believe comes out next month on Kindle unlimited.
Highly recommended!

I really enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to the next in the series.

Thank you the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.

“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: 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. *****

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.