Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord

A Mystery

By: Celeste Connally

Narrated by: Eilidh Beaton

"Beaton casts a spell on listeners as she disappears into the aristocratic and working-class characters. Shifting tempo, she captures the fear of the women as they become helpless pawns manipulated by the evil doctor."—AudioFile

Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, a dazzling first entry in a captivating new Regency-era mystery series with a feminist spin from Celeste Connally.

London, 1815. Lady Petra Forsyth, daughter of the Earl of Holbrook, has made a shocking proclamation. After losing her beloved fiancé in an accident three years earlier, she announces in front of London’s loosest lips that she will never marry. A woman of independent means—and rather independent ways—Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and freedom to any man now that the love of her life is gone. Instead, she plans to continue enjoying the best of society without any expectations.

But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of a fit due to her “melancholia” while in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper—uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away, or worse. Just as Petra has reason to believe her friend is alive, a shocking murder proves more danger is afoot than she thought. And the more determined Lady Petra becomes in uncovering the truth, the more her own headstrong actions and desire for independence are used against her, putting her own freedom—and possibly her life—in jeopardy.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.

©2023 Celeste Connally (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Effervescent...A delightful period adventure with pitch-perfect banter."—Kirkus Reviews

"Delightful...Petra is marvelously drawn—an easy-to-love, instantly memorable heroine—and Connally equips her with a brisk, page-turning adventure. This is catnip for historical suspense fans."—Publishers Weekly

"Witty and wise, a delightful feminist romp. Connally’s series serves as a reminder to never settle, that what’s right and what’s easy are rarely the same.”—Jessica Fellowes, New York Times bestselling author

Drawn out beginning but happily pleased how it ended.

The narrator was great. The beginning of the story dragged a little bit and thought I would have to give up but I'm happy I didn't. I'm going to get the next book by this author if it becomes a series.

Very engaging

I liked the storyline and the pace of the story. It was fun and intriguing.

Empowered Women!

I really appreciate the focus on women’s rights and freedoms and how the leading female character and her friends use wit, humor and imagination to solve a murder mystery. I especially loved the voice of the narrator. I can fall asleep to it - soothing to listen to.

Silly

There could be a spoiler or two in here, but most people will be able to figure out where this story is going from page 1.

First off, why the obsession with eyes? There must be more than 100 references to characters' eyes in this book - usually the color (rarely brown) and sometimes to eyes darting around or looking away or staring. It was tiresome and weird.

Also, the author clearly couldn't decide what genre this story should fall into. At one point I was pleased to see it turning in the direction of a commentary about the treatment of women and their complete lack of power, even when they have their own money. And it would have been fine if one especially strong woman discovers a way to make things better for all womankind. But ultimately the story is a silly romance in which the brawny man with the Scottish brogue and green eyes saves the day. And the worst thing that happens to the despicable men of the ton who try to offload their unwanted wives is that they get snubbed by other men of the ton. Oh and diarrhea and dog bites on the butt.

I love a good historical mystery with women sleuths and read/listen to quite a few series with the same sort of story arc. But I found myself turning this book off when other people entered the room because I was embarrassed to be listening to such drivel. I will not be getting the next in the series.

less than expected

This has an interesting message if a woman taking charge of get own life in a society designed with c ontrol of women,but the overall Flo
story was marred by innuendo and foul language throughout.