A Washington Post Best Mystery Novel of 2023 A high society amateur detective at the heart of
Regency London uses her wits and invisibility as an ‘old maid’ to protect other women in a new
and fiercely feminist historical mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Alison
Goodman. Lady Augusta Colebrook “Gus ” is determinedly unmarried bored by society life
and tired of being dismissed at the age of forty-two. She and her twin sister Julia who is
grieving her dead betrothed need a distraction. One soon presents itself: to rescue their
friend’s goddaughter Caroline from her violent husband. The sisters set out to Caroline’s
country estate with a plan but their carriage is accosted by a highwayman. In the scuffle Gus
accidentally shoots and injures the ruffian only to discover he is Lord Evan Belford an
acquaintance from their past who was charged with murder and exiled to Australia twenty years
ago. What follows is a high adventure full of danger clever improvisation heart-racing near
misses and a little help from a revived and rather charming Lord Evan. Back in London Gus
can’t stop thinking about her unlikely (not to mention handsome) comrade-in-arms. She is
convinced Lord Evan was falsely accused of murder and she is going to prove it. She persuades
Julia to join her in a quest to help Lord Evan and others in need—society be damned! And so
begins the beguiling secret life and adventures of the Colebrook twins.
