The Body in the Garden by Katharine Schellman

'Sensitive handling of class and race issues common to London in the early 1800s give the story depth. “ enjoyable debut.Schellman’s colorful detective trio and skillful use of historical fact will appeal to fans of Catherine Lloyd.” 'The mixed-race identities of her partners in crime solving and the methods through which they navigate London society add richness to the tale beyond mere Regency-era tropes.Pleasant.' 'Schellman's well-researched fiction debut uses nuanced, elegant prose to depict a fully realized world.' Now, Lily will have to uncover the truth, before she becomes the murderer's next target. Secrets that they would kill to keep hidden. The unlikely team tries to conceal their investigation behind the whirl of London's social season, but the dead man knew secrets about people with power. Stunned and confused, Lily realizes she's the only one with the key to catching the killer.Īided by a roguish navy captain and a mysterious heiress from the West Indies, Lily sets out to discover whether her friend's husband is mixed up in blackmail and murder. But she's willing to leave the matter to the local constables-until Lord Walter bribes the investigating magistrate to drop the case. Lily overheard the man just minutes before he was shot: young, desperate, and attempting blackmail. What she doesn't expect is the dead body in Lady Walter's garden.

At a ball thrown by her oldest friend, Lady Walter, she expects the scandal, gossip, and secrets. She's no stranger to the glittering world of London's upper crust.

Though newly-widowed Lily Adler is returning to a society that frowns on independent women, she is determined to create a meaningful life for herself even without a husband. Perfect for fans of Tasha Alexander and Rhys Bowen, Katharine Schellman's debut novel is sure to delight.

The Body in the Garden by Katharine Schellman