Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance

A Miss Morton Mystery, Book 3

By: Catherine Lloyd

Narrated by: Lucy Rayner

Length: 8 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

Miss Caroline has doubts when she receives an urgent invitation from a London law firm to discuss her late father's estate. After all, the dishonored Earl of Morton died without a pound sterling to pass on to his two daughters. But while immersing herself in helping Mrs. Frogerton's capricious daughter navigate the high social season, Caroline meets with a cagey lawyer, Mr. Smith, who shares life-altering news-the earl composed a second will, leaving behind an undisclosed fortune.

Mrs. Frogerton, however, is suspicious of the firm's true motives. Her instinct proves right when the two ladies find the office ransacked, staff in turmoil, and Mr. Smith missing. The full weight of the situation doesn't sink in until Mr. Smith dies following a brutal attack on the street-discovered with an empty envelope bearing Caroline's name in his pocket.

With a connection forming between two deaths at the firm, Caroline can't imagine why anyone would kill twice over the contents of a will. Further complicating matters is the amorous Mr. DeBloom and the disappearance of Susan, her younger sister. As Caroline unwittingly becomes the center of both a criminal case and a sordid love triangle, she must tread with caution while seeking the truth . . . because someone is waiting to reduce her to nothing more than a signature on a dotted line.

©2024 Catherine Lloyd (P)2024 Tantor

Wonderful Read

Miss Morton (a/k/a Lady Caroline) is back with another perplexing mystery and an insight into London society in the latter part of the Regency period in England that isn't often seen. Miss Morton/Lady Caroline, the daughter of a late Earl, shunned when she finds employment after her father left her homeless and penniless. Mrs. Froggerton (Miss Morton's employer) and her daughter who is shopping for a titled husband, disdained because they earned their money but sought after because they have money. Mrs. Froggerton is one of my favorite fictional characters. She is clever and down to earth and genuine, and sometimes she makes me laugh. Although less likeable, I enjoyed meeting Mrs. Froggerton's son in this adventure and would enjoy seeing him again in future books. His character has possibilities. The mystery is complex enough to keep the reader guessing, and I admit that I did not expect the exact outcome.

I noticed that some others thought this book could serve as a standalone, but I disagree. The developments with Susan, Miss Morton's younger sister, the second will at the center of this mystery, as well as Caroline's relationships, both potentially romantic, platonic, and professional, will mean less to those not familiar with the previous 2 books. I highly recommend that readers begin with the first book and read the books in order.

The narrator does an excellent job of voicing all of these characters and the variety of accents required.