Series Name:
Lady Petra Inquiries, #1

Review By Gabrielle

With a cast of strong female characters, Act Like A Lady, Think Like a Lord is a delightful Regency-era mystery.

Favourite Quote:

There were certain advantages to having declared she would never marry, Petra found herself thinking as she finally reached the lemonade table. She could now arrive to a private ball without a true chaperone and she could speak with whomever she pleased without the risk of ruin to her reputation.

It might just be worth being called a spinster for this joyous level of freedom.

Goodreads Synopsis: 

When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding, she makes the shocking proclamation—in front of London’s loosest lips—that she will never remarry. A woman of independent means, Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and freedom to any man now that the love of her life has passed, nor does she intend to become confined to her country home. Instead, she uses her title to gain access to elite spaces and enjoy the best of society without expectations.

But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of “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 Lady Petra has reason to believe her friend is not dead, but a prisoner, her own headstrong actions and thirst for independence are used to put her own freedom in jeopardy.

What a delicious romp this book is! As with most historical books, it is a little slow to start as you get used to all the characters, their titles, and who they are related to, but once you get that in hand, things really take off. I read this in one sitting because I absolutely had to know what happened next. I stayed up well past my bedtime, and I can assure you it was worth it.

Lady Petra is an absolute delight. I loved everything about her. She is clever, stubborn and strong, with a kind heart and a desire to use her position to help others. I love how she didn’t bow down to the rules of the time, but with a clear and level head, she stood up for what she believed in. She gives everyone the benefit of the doubt until they prove themselves to be unworthy. Watching her not give up and persist until she solved the mystery was so much fun.

Beyond Lady Petra, there are a lot of other strong female characters to fall in love with. I think my favourite was Petra’s best friend Caroline, who has quite a saucy mouth! I adored the way the ladies showed up for each other. In a time when women were seen most often as property, these ladies are forging their own ways forward with intelligence, determination and mutual support.

The mystery aspect of this book was very well done and kept me guessing. I heard this book described as “Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie,” and I think that is a very apt way to describe it. I was delighted to learn this is number one in a new series, as I would like to read more of Lady Petra’s adventures.

Thank you, St. Martin’s Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.