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Pevensey Mysteries #1
To Wed an Heiress
Haro Emison, thrust into his new role as Earl of Anglesford, discovers that his late father has left the family teetering on the edge of financial ruin. Intent on rescuing the estate, Haro abandons his long-held interest in his cousin Eda and searches instead for a wealthy heiress. But when pride and jealousy cause his plan to spiral out of control, he begins to wonder if he has made a dreadful mistake….
Eda Swanycke is enjoying her first season in London when her debut comes to a crashing halt. Jilted by her cousin, she suffers the indignity of watching Haro’s new intended lay claim to his person and position. But when a brutal murder upends the household with Haro as chief suspect, Eda must put her wounded pride aside, match wits with the investigator from London, and try, at all costs, to save Haro Emison’s neck from the gallows….
This novel, the first book in the Pevensey series, takes people and events from the Norman Conquest and transposes them into a lighthearted murder mystery set during the early 1800s.
Eda Swanycke is enjoying her first season in London when her debut comes to a crashing halt. Jilted by her cousin, she suffers the indignity of watching Haro’s new intended lay claim to his person and position. But when a brutal murder upends the household with Haro as chief suspect, Eda must put her wounded pride aside, match wits with the investigator from London, and try, at all costs, to save Haro Emison’s neck from the gallows….
This novel, the first book in the Pevensey series, takes people and events from the Norman Conquest and transposes them into a lighthearted murder mystery set during the early 1800s.
298 pages, ebook
First published April 28, 2015
116 people are currently reading
427 people want to read
About the author
Rosanne E. Lortz
28 books217 followersRosanne E. Lortz (“Rose”) is a writer, editor, teacher, history-lover, and mom to four boys. She loves to read, sing, draw, compose, write, and create. Education is one of her passions, particularly a classical, liberal arts education. She has taught English composition and grammar, Latin, history, music, and various other subjects for eighteen years at both the elementary and secondary level and is currently an administrator at a classical Christian school.
Rose writes historical novels full of adventure, mystery, and romance. Her Pevensey Mysteries transpose tales from the Middle Ages into Regency Era romance/murder mysteries. Her Allen Abbey Romances are three linked novellas set in Regency England. And her latest series are the Kendall House Romances and the Comfort Quartet, Regency romances full of humour and heart that pay tribute to the inimitable Georgette Heyer.
Rose served on the board of the Historical Novel Society North America for four years and works to promote interest in historical novels. She enjoys reading and reviewing historical fiction, historical romance, historical mysteries, high fantasy, and some young adult and middle grade books.
Rose writes historical novels full of adventure, mystery, and romance. Her Pevensey Mysteries transpose tales from the Middle Ages into Regency Era romance/murder mysteries. Her Allen Abbey Romances are three linked novellas set in Regency England. And her latest series are the Kendall House Romances and the Comfort Quartet, Regency romances full of humour and heart that pay tribute to the inimitable Georgette Heyer.
Rose served on the board of the Historical Novel Society North America for four years and works to promote interest in historical novels. She enjoys reading and reviewing historical fiction, historical romance, historical mysteries, high fantasy, and some young adult and middle grade books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 12, 2017
I had thought this book was a Regency retelling of the Norman Conquest, but I saw the author's note that it isn't. It more of a Regency story using some of the figures from the period, transplanted into a later setting. For that though, it's a very enjoyable story peopled by some wonderfully colourful characters including the eccentric Bow-Street runner Jacob Pevensey who sketched his subjects instead of taking notes, the determined Eda Swanwyck, and the mysterious Uncle Harold, inclined to take early morning walks in the snow to feed birds. Was he just a harmless cook, telling tall stories about his former life, or was he telling the truth, and capable of committing murder?
It did not become obvious that this was a murder Mystery until nearly halfway through, I'm not sure if that was planned, or just how the story went. It worked well though, allowing plenty of time for character development, and the tension between the characters to come to a head.
I've sometimes said that Christian Regency novels can be a mixed bag. Its sad fact that American authors don't always to them very well, but Rosanne E Lortz was able to pull off the setting very well. There were a few minor Americanisms, and a character talking about eating in a tavern, which is a term British people almost never use, although the character in question was French. I wasn't massively keen on the narrator of the audiobook, but that did not detract from the storytelling. All in all, I felt this was one of the best Regency tales of intrigue/mystery that I have read.
On one final note though, I will say it wears the cloak of 'Inspirational' Fiction very loosely. Characters often lied and weren't called out for it by Pevensey, or alluded to immoral behaviour, and Christian beliefs were only mentioned a few times. I didn't mind this, as I do read General Fiction, but it might be an issue for some.
I'm looking forward to the sequel 'The Duke's Last Hunt' coming out on audiobook and seeing more of Jacob Pevensey. I deduce its loosely based on the events surrounding the death fo William II 'Rufus', the son of William the Conqueror, which occurred in the New Forest in the year 1100.
It did not become obvious that this was a murder Mystery until nearly halfway through, I'm not sure if that was planned, or just how the story went. It worked well though, allowing plenty of time for character development, and the tension between the characters to come to a head.
I've sometimes said that Christian Regency novels can be a mixed bag. Its sad fact that American authors don't always to them very well, but Rosanne E Lortz was able to pull off the setting very well. There were a few minor Americanisms, and a character talking about eating in a tavern, which is a term British people almost never use, although the character in question was French. I wasn't massively keen on the narrator of the audiobook, but that did not detract from the storytelling. All in all, I felt this was one of the best Regency tales of intrigue/mystery that I have read.
On one final note though, I will say it wears the cloak of 'Inspirational' Fiction very loosely. Characters often lied and weren't called out for it by Pevensey, or alluded to immoral behaviour, and Christian beliefs were only mentioned a few times. I didn't mind this, as I do read General Fiction, but it might be an issue for some.
I'm looking forward to the sequel 'The Duke's Last Hunt' coming out on audiobook and seeing more of Jacob Pevensey. I deduce its loosely based on the events surrounding the death fo William II 'Rufus', the son of William the Conqueror, which occurred in the New Forest in the year 1100.
December 28, 2022
Hello Mr Pevensey!
Read every page. The afterword is just as interesting as the novel. Smart writing, kept me in suspense though I later realized the clues had been sprinkled about …
Read every page. The afterword is just as interesting as the novel. Smart writing, kept me in suspense though I later realized the clues had been sprinkled about …
May 5, 2025
One of the joys of reading a book for the first time is not knowing precisely what lurks within its pages. Sometimes, in fact most times, if I am being honest, the plot unrolls smoothly and predictably, and that’s fine, too, but sometimes - oh, a glorious few times! - it veers off into unexpected territory. And so it is here.
Here’s the premise: Harold (or Haro) Emison has, at the tender age of twenty-three, come into his inheritance as Earl of Anglesford, only to find that the coffers are empty. The options are to sell the ancient family home or… what? His younger brother Torin proposes the time-honoured solution - marry an heiress. And within days, Haro has set about doing just that, betrothing himself to the elegant person of Arabella Hastings, only daughter of cotton mill owner William Hastings. There’s only one snag: Haro was on the brink of an engagement to his distant cousin who lives with the family, Eda Swanycke, who takes the new engagement in very bad part. When the Emison family and the Hastings decamp to the ancestral home, the atmosphere is somewhat soured by the subtle sniping between the two women.
Now, at this point, it was perfectly possible that this would turn into a variant of Georgette Heyer’s A Civil Contract, as Haro and Arabella got to know each other better and reached an accommodation. So, just another marriage of convenience story, then. But this is not that story, happily, as relations between Eda and Arabella turn to open warfare, a French architect turns up set about remodelling the ancestral home into a modern Palladian masterpiece, and Haro finds himself caught in the middle, trying desperately to keep the peace in order to save his family from ruin.
And then there’s a murder. Oh. I wasn’t expecting *that*. The book now veers off sharply into murder mystery territory, complete with the eccentric detective (a Bow Street Runner, in this case), one Jacob Pevensey, whose eccentricity consists of sketching the suspects instead of taking notes. This part of the book is note perfect, the events leading up to the murder being gradually revealed, and a last-minute revelation which makes everything clear to Mr Pevensey (although I’d spotted a key point earlier). And then the romance is wrapped up, along with another reveal which wasn’t too hard to predict, either.
I see from the reviews that a lot of people disliked the two part plot, some feeling the romance was unsatisfactory, and some the murder mystery. For me, I loved the whole book, and especially that it was (to me, anyway) totally unpredictable, and I just love a book that takes me by surprise. Highlights include the sparring between the two rivals for Haro’s affections, and I liked the slow but relentless uncovering of Arabella’s unpleasant nature. I liked, too, that Haro finally realised what he needed to do to be true to himself. Some reviewers thought he was too much of a doormat early on, but I really admired the way he tried his hardest to keep everyone happy and only gave it up when he realised that it was never going to work. A terrific read. Five stars and I’m straight off to the next book in the series.
Here’s the premise: Harold (or Haro) Emison has, at the tender age of twenty-three, come into his inheritance as Earl of Anglesford, only to find that the coffers are empty. The options are to sell the ancient family home or… what? His younger brother Torin proposes the time-honoured solution - marry an heiress. And within days, Haro has set about doing just that, betrothing himself to the elegant person of Arabella Hastings, only daughter of cotton mill owner William Hastings. There’s only one snag: Haro was on the brink of an engagement to his distant cousin who lives with the family, Eda Swanycke, who takes the new engagement in very bad part. When the Emison family and the Hastings decamp to the ancestral home, the atmosphere is somewhat soured by the subtle sniping between the two women.
Now, at this point, it was perfectly possible that this would turn into a variant of Georgette Heyer’s A Civil Contract, as Haro and Arabella got to know each other better and reached an accommodation. So, just another marriage of convenience story, then. But this is not that story, happily, as relations between Eda and Arabella turn to open warfare, a French architect turns up set about remodelling the ancestral home into a modern Palladian masterpiece, and Haro finds himself caught in the middle, trying desperately to keep the peace in order to save his family from ruin.
And then there’s a murder. Oh. I wasn’t expecting *that*. The book now veers off sharply into murder mystery territory, complete with the eccentric detective (a Bow Street Runner, in this case), one Jacob Pevensey, whose eccentricity consists of sketching the suspects instead of taking notes. This part of the book is note perfect, the events leading up to the murder being gradually revealed, and a last-minute revelation which makes everything clear to Mr Pevensey (although I’d spotted a key point earlier). And then the romance is wrapped up, along with another reveal which wasn’t too hard to predict, either.
I see from the reviews that a lot of people disliked the two part plot, some feeling the romance was unsatisfactory, and some the murder mystery. For me, I loved the whole book, and especially that it was (to me, anyway) totally unpredictable, and I just love a book that takes me by surprise. Highlights include the sparring between the two rivals for Haro’s affections, and I liked the slow but relentless uncovering of Arabella’s unpleasant nature. I liked, too, that Haro finally realised what he needed to do to be true to himself. Some reviewers thought he was too much of a doormat early on, but I really admired the way he tried his hardest to keep everyone happy and only gave it up when he realised that it was never going to work. A terrific read. Five stars and I’m straight off to the next book in the series.
January 30, 2023
To wed an Heiress
Oh what a kettle of deceit! A web of love, hate and murder. This book so fell of twist and turned has kelp me up 3 hours past my bedtime! I recommend this book. You will love it!
Oh what a kettle of deceit! A web of love, hate and murder. This book so fell of twist and turned has kelp me up 3 hours past my bedtime! I recommend this book. You will love it!
January 26, 2024
(I received an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own)
First of all, I want to say that the cover is absolutely gorgeous, and so are the embellishments around the chapter numbers.
This book transported me to its world very quickly and seamlessly, I kept telling myself "you only have time for a few pages" and I would get immersed in the story almost immediately.
It opens like a classic regency, and slowly sets up the premise, and then they discover the body and it's a classic whodunnit, but with its own quirks and flair thrown in.
Thanks to the slower beginning, the characters were very fleshed out, and several of the secondary characters stole the show, like bookish Torin, and Pevensie the red-haired inspector and all his sketches. I would not mind reading more about him and his cases. I bet that instead of case files, he has a shelf full of his sketchbooks.
The body discovery was perfectly eerie. The scene is set up in such a heart-sinking way that you expected it, but it still sent chills down my spine.
It was so fun to read it, from the beginning set-up to when they are rushing about trying to find the murderer, getting hints along the way, to the reveal towards the end, to the real ending where everything is tied off.
This book has earned its place on my favourites shelf.
I highly recommend!
First of all, I want to say that the cover is absolutely gorgeous, and so are the embellishments around the chapter numbers.
This book transported me to its world very quickly and seamlessly, I kept telling myself "you only have time for a few pages" and I would get immersed in the story almost immediately.
It opens like a classic regency, and slowly sets up the premise, and then they discover the body and it's a classic whodunnit, but with its own quirks and flair thrown in.
Thanks to the slower beginning, the characters were very fleshed out, and several of the secondary characters stole the show, like bookish Torin, and Pevensie the red-haired inspector and all his sketches. I would not mind reading more about him and his cases. I bet that instead of case files, he has a shelf full of his sketchbooks.
The body discovery was perfectly eerie. The scene is set up in such a heart-sinking way that you expected it, but it still sent chills down my spine.
It was so fun to read it, from the beginning set-up to when they are rushing about trying to find the murderer, getting hints along the way, to the reveal towards the end, to the real ending where everything is tied off.
This book has earned its place on my favourites shelf.
I highly recommend!
July 14, 2019
A little different take on a traditional regency novel. The author weaves in the characters of 1066 (William the Conqueror, Harold Godwinson, etc.) to advance this murder mystery. I liked the novel's personalities---each one had flaws which made them more believable. The Bow Street Runner who investigates is different, too--he takes his notes in sketches of the suspects. I'm looking forward to other titles in the series to discover what historical personages inspire a murder!
July 18, 2015
Delightful Renency romantic whodunnit. Full review to come on The Calico Critic.
November 14, 2025
Good but…
Well written with a good pace, as well as engaging and entertaining, with a cast of characters ranging from the vile and vulgar to the kind and compassionate.
So why the three stars?
I found Haro’s behaviour towards Eda to be despicable. The reader understands the reasons behind his betrothal but those reasons do not give permission for his cruelty in speech and actions towards Eda. He easily agreed to remove her from her home and family, without any thought of the consequences; that alone makes him loathsome cad. Poor Eda was to be plunged from a lady in her first season into the depths of gentile poverty, if she was lucky. To be cast aside without any kindness or consideration, at the demand of Arabella, was a nasty, brutal act on Haro’s part.
Eda was feisty, forthright, and far too forgiving, showing her loyalty time and time again. She should have made Haro work hard for her love and forgiveness.
This was for me the worst part of the story.
As for the rest, it’s a great murder mystery, which keeps the reader guessing to the end. Just who was Mrs Rollo? That enigma was never explained. I kept expecting her to be unveiled as a man!
A book worth the time to read
Well written with a good pace, as well as engaging and entertaining, with a cast of characters ranging from the vile and vulgar to the kind and compassionate.
So why the three stars?
I found Haro’s behaviour towards Eda to be despicable. The reader understands the reasons behind his betrothal but those reasons do not give permission for his cruelty in speech and actions towards Eda. He easily agreed to remove her from her home and family, without any thought of the consequences; that alone makes him loathsome cad. Poor Eda was to be plunged from a lady in her first season into the depths of gentile poverty, if she was lucky. To be cast aside without any kindness or consideration, at the demand of Arabella, was a nasty, brutal act on Haro’s part.
Eda was feisty, forthright, and far too forgiving, showing her loyalty time and time again. She should have made Haro work hard for her love and forgiveness.
This was for me the worst part of the story.
As for the rest, it’s a great murder mystery, which keeps the reader guessing to the end. Just who was Mrs Rollo? That enigma was never explained. I kept expecting her to be unveiled as a man!
A book worth the time to read
September 29, 2023
A rare pleasure
In the world of regency or thereabouts romances and mysteries, most tend to be weakly plotted, repetitive and unsatisfying. This compelling Pevensey first installment is exactly the opposite. And I'm so grateful to have found it and to the talented author who wrote it. All the characters are interesting and too many had potential as the killer. I was even surprised as to who the victim was.
I do have to say, because the childhood playmates-to-lovers trope is such a turn-off to me, I expected to both dislike this story and to abandon finishing it. So I was additionally surprised it kept me interested with all its twists and suspicions surrounding the family I came to like and care about. I particularly liked eccentric and endearing Uncle Harold. I look forward to the next book in this excellent series and hope the author continues her deft way of portraying her characters and embroiling them in fascinating plots.
In the world of regency or thereabouts romances and mysteries, most tend to be weakly plotted, repetitive and unsatisfying. This compelling Pevensey first installment is exactly the opposite. And I'm so grateful to have found it and to the talented author who wrote it. All the characters are interesting and too many had potential as the killer. I was even surprised as to who the victim was.
I do have to say, because the childhood playmates-to-lovers trope is such a turn-off to me, I expected to both dislike this story and to abandon finishing it. So I was additionally surprised it kept me interested with all its twists and suspicions surrounding the family I came to like and care about. I particularly liked eccentric and endearing Uncle Harold. I look forward to the next book in this excellent series and hope the author continues her deft way of portraying her characters and embroiling them in fascinating plots.
June 21, 2023
2 parts and 2 reactions
I thoroughly enjoyed the first part of this book which is involved with the people and places of the regency period and a love story with challenges to overcome. The second half completely changes the tone and mood to a murder mystery. While I do generally enjoy a good murder mystery, this was such a sudden departure from the first part that felt like it left the first story unfinished. Even as the main characters continued into the second part, their characters changed. The mother’s character perhaps changed the most and not for the better. A new character, Pevensey is introduced. While being told he was quite clever, his conversation, wit, and actions failed to measure up.
Lortz’s supreme vocabulary and command of the English language and additional French references is to be enjoyed and admired.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first part of this book which is involved with the people and places of the regency period and a love story with challenges to overcome. The second half completely changes the tone and mood to a murder mystery. While I do generally enjoy a good murder mystery, this was such a sudden departure from the first part that felt like it left the first story unfinished. Even as the main characters continued into the second part, their characters changed. The mother’s character perhaps changed the most and not for the better. A new character, Pevensey is introduced. While being told he was quite clever, his conversation, wit, and actions failed to measure up.
Lortz’s supreme vocabulary and command of the English language and additional French references is to be enjoyed and admired.
October 22, 2025
The first half irritated me. As a romance, this didn’t work. Haro was a spineless jerk to everyone, mean to his own family, over their treatment of Arabella because she made out with him. Only after he finds out she’s awful to servants does he decide to do the right thing. Not trying to get rid of his brother, being openly rude to his whole family, or decimating his ancestral home.
The second half was good even though a bit predictable. I liked Pevensey and wish there was more Uncle Harold, he was a great character. Haro needed to grovel so that was a let down.
All in all, I enjoyed the writing and will read the next.
The second half was good even though a bit predictable. I liked Pevensey and wish there was more Uncle Harold, he was a great character. Haro needed to grovel so that was a let down.
All in all, I enjoyed the writing and will read the next.
November 27, 2025
clean wholesome romance and mystery
If you enjoy a good mystery, wrapped up within a taste of history and tied up in a romantic tale…this is a match for you!
The author is clever in using past historical events in her regency tale but keeps all fresh with her own twist.
This story is a bit slow in the build up but is necessary for the plot.
The characters are very compelling and seem lifelike. I struggled a bit with the hero as he was a bit more self sacrificing that I would have liked, but again, it is part of the plot. So I can’t complain as the story is good!
I look forward to reading more of this series and author.
If you enjoy a good mystery, wrapped up within a taste of history and tied up in a romantic tale…this is a match for you!
The author is clever in using past historical events in her regency tale but keeps all fresh with her own twist.
This story is a bit slow in the build up but is necessary for the plot.
The characters are very compelling and seem lifelike. I struggled a bit with the hero as he was a bit more self sacrificing that I would have liked, but again, it is part of the plot. So I can’t complain as the story is good!
I look forward to reading more of this series and author.
Read
January 28, 2026A primeira parte do livro é chata e irritante. Entendo que seja para estabelecer os suspeitos do crime, mas é realmente chato.
Primeiro não se discute os termos do acordo nupcial.
Segundo o Hero é um total banana, agindo como se a noiva realmente tivesse algum poder depois do casamento. Como se os Hastings detivessem o poder financeiro.
Terceiro a Eda é uma pirralha mimada e não critico o Hero por querer se livrar dela. Por ser um banana, sim.
Mas é uma daquelas coisas de romance de mistério superficial
Primeiro não se discute os termos do acordo nupcial.
Segundo o Hero é um total banana, agindo como se a noiva realmente tivesse algum poder depois do casamento. Como se os Hastings detivessem o poder financeiro.
Terceiro a Eda é uma pirralha mimada e não critico o Hero por querer se livrar dela. Por ser um banana, sim.
Mas é uma daquelas coisas de romance de mistério superficial
July 27, 2023
I enjoy indulging in historical fiction, particularly when it intertwines elements of romance, murder, and mystery. This book proved to be a delightful amalgamation of these genres. The author skillfully crafted a captivating narrative by intricately developing numerous characters, adding depth and richness to the overall storyline. Without a doubt, I highly recommend this book.
October 5, 2023
Last half is better
The first half was tolerable, though almost everyone was irritating and quick to take offense. The last half was better. Pevensey is an interesting character, with his sketching during interviews instead of taking notes. In the last half, Haro and Eda are more pleasant, so by the end we can be happy for each of them. Worth a look at the next in the series.
The first half was tolerable, though almost everyone was irritating and quick to take offense. The last half was better. Pevensey is an interesting character, with his sketching during interviews instead of taking notes. In the last half, Haro and Eda are more pleasant, so by the end we can be happy for each of them. Worth a look at the next in the series.
March 1, 2025
Pevensey wasn't t introduced till the book was half done. I didn't feel like I got to know him which is strange since the series is named for him. That said, I liked the other characters and their interactions. Constant reminders of Eda's white hands, shoulders and neck were quite annoying but then it was explained in the author's note. I wish I had realized before.
March 19, 2025
Justice Will Be Served
I loved this story from beginning to end. You know the characters are well written when you become emotionally involved with them and either love them or want to slap them silly. This book has everything I love about this time period. Well done and highly recommended.
I loved this story from beginning to end. You know the characters are well written when you become emotionally involved with them and either love them or want to slap them silly. This book has everything I love about this time period. Well done and highly recommended.
October 25, 2018
I found this to be a fun read and well written. I enjoyed waiting to see what would happen next. It was interesting to hear about a detective that took notes by sketching. I wouldn’t have thought about that, but it makes sense. I’m looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2024
great start to a new series
It’s characters that make this such a great book. The mystery is clever, but it’s the interplay of persons that has centre stage. The novel is well written and edited. Recommended.
It’s characters that make this such a great book. The mystery is clever, but it’s the interplay of persons that has centre stage. The novel is well written and edited. Recommended.
February 22, 2025
What a great story!
Never— did I suspect or even THINK- that a
really interesting and surprising story was
lurking in these chapters. What a intriguing
and suspenseful story! This is set in
Regency times.
Never— did I suspect or even THINK- that a
really interesting and surprising story was
lurking in these chapters. What a intriguing
and suspenseful story! This is set in
Regency times.
April 7, 2025
A delightful blind siding
Loved the characters. I will say I was a little stressed for the first 1/3 of the book...it was looking like it was going to be a tragedy....but the twists and turns of the story were delightful.
Loved the characters. I will say I was a little stressed for the first 1/3 of the book...it was looking like it was going to be a tragedy....but the twists and turns of the story were delightful.
July 22, 2017
A dissapointment
I found this a bit flat no real passion in it and a bit mundane perhaps the next one will be better
I found this a bit flat no real passion in it and a bit mundane perhaps the next one will be better
August 3, 2023
A delightful Regency Romance with a fascinating story, an entertaining cast of characters and a lot of twists.
April 9, 2025
Nearly 5
Rosanne rocks - I don't read mysteries, I read historical romances. She's an outlier. ;)
Rosanne rocks - I don't read mysteries, I read historical romances. She's an outlier. ;)
April 24, 2025
I found this book very dull. The characters very all very irritating and I could not like any of them. I did not like the narrator either which didn’t help.
July 6, 2025
Another great book from this author
August 17, 2025
Cute and fun
Very enjoyable. I didn’t anticipate the twists and was pleasantly entertained throughout the whole book. A clean, sweet romance with a murder mystery twist.
Very enjoyable. I didn’t anticipate the twists and was pleasantly entertained throughout the whole book. A clean, sweet romance with a murder mystery twist.
November 18, 2025
I enjoy Regency, I like mysteries, and I was intrigued by the idea of reimaging figures from the Norman Conquest in a different era and set of circumstances. I appreciated Eda from the beginning, how she didn't want to pressure Haro but wanted to let him choose. Haro took longer for me to warm up to, though. I was frustrated with him for not realizing that he was tearing his family apart in his attempts to save them. This was a good read, and I've already started the second in the series.
June 17, 2015
I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour for a fair and honest review and rated it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
During the Regency period in England, one of the worst things a man could do to his family was to leave his financial affairs in disarray and place his wife and children in danger of not only losing their social position but of also losing their home. If the family was lucky, and they had a sought after title, and the oldest child was of age to “marry up”, they could save their family from ruin with an arranged marriage. Such is the sad and perilous situation that Harold Emison finds himself thrust into in To Wed an Heiress by Rosanne E. Lortz. Filled with colorful characters, a solid murder mystery and plenty of suspense and drama, this enjoyable story could easily be transformed into a BBC production for fans of period mystery pieces such as Death Comes to Pemberley, a miniseries I recently had the pleasure of watching.
Already saddened over the death of his father, Harold “Haro” Emison, the new Earl of Anglesford, is distraught to discover his father’s excessive gambling has placed their family in a perilous financial situation. Forced to think of his family’s future, instead of his heart’s desire, Haro is forced to begin searching for a rich wife. Fortunately for Haro, Arabella Hasting, the daughter of a rich and successful cotton industrialist, is looking for a titled husband. Quickly becoming engaged to marry Arabella, Haro’s plans are ruined when Arabella is killed and he finds himself as “the usual suspect”. Forced to rely on help from Eda Swanycke, his cousin and the woman he really loves, Haro and Eda will have to solve Arabella’s murder in order to keep Haro’s neck away from the gallows noose.
Ms. Lortz does a good job developing the characters in her story and I easily connected with both Haro and Eda, two young would be lovers who are being forced apart by a father’s bad money management. A man devoted to his family, Haro was willing to sacrifice his own happiness, and the happiness of his cousin, in order to save his family’s financial future. I also easily connected with Eda, while hurt and angry over being pushed aside for a rich heiress, who was practical overall and willing to help Haro when she could have turned her back on him. While I wanted to dislike Arabella, I found it impossible to do so. She was only a daughter helping her father achieve his dream of changing their family’s social status from its position in the “middle class” to becoming a member of the nobility.
The secondary characters are also well developed and I especially liked Haro’s family; his mother Lady Edith and his younger brother Torin, were supportive and understood the sacrifice he was making for all of their futures. I also enjoyed getting to know Inspector Pevensie, the man assigned to investigate Arabella’s murder and whose hobby of sketching played a part in the book. The murder mystery itself was well handled and took several interesting twists and turns, and of course the villain was easily to hate.
Will Haro and Eda prove who the real killer is? Will the love they feel for each other have a chance to grow and lead to their marriage or will the financial situation Haro is in keep him from the woman he loves? You’ll have to read To Wed an Heiress to find out I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Ms. Lortz’s work.
During the Regency period in England, one of the worst things a man could do to his family was to leave his financial affairs in disarray and place his wife and children in danger of not only losing their social position but of also losing their home. If the family was lucky, and they had a sought after title, and the oldest child was of age to “marry up”, they could save their family from ruin with an arranged marriage. Such is the sad and perilous situation that Harold Emison finds himself thrust into in To Wed an Heiress by Rosanne E. Lortz. Filled with colorful characters, a solid murder mystery and plenty of suspense and drama, this enjoyable story could easily be transformed into a BBC production for fans of period mystery pieces such as Death Comes to Pemberley, a miniseries I recently had the pleasure of watching.
Already saddened over the death of his father, Harold “Haro” Emison, the new Earl of Anglesford, is distraught to discover his father’s excessive gambling has placed their family in a perilous financial situation. Forced to think of his family’s future, instead of his heart’s desire, Haro is forced to begin searching for a rich wife. Fortunately for Haro, Arabella Hasting, the daughter of a rich and successful cotton industrialist, is looking for a titled husband. Quickly becoming engaged to marry Arabella, Haro’s plans are ruined when Arabella is killed and he finds himself as “the usual suspect”. Forced to rely on help from Eda Swanycke, his cousin and the woman he really loves, Haro and Eda will have to solve Arabella’s murder in order to keep Haro’s neck away from the gallows noose.
Ms. Lortz does a good job developing the characters in her story and I easily connected with both Haro and Eda, two young would be lovers who are being forced apart by a father’s bad money management. A man devoted to his family, Haro was willing to sacrifice his own happiness, and the happiness of his cousin, in order to save his family’s financial future. I also easily connected with Eda, while hurt and angry over being pushed aside for a rich heiress, who was practical overall and willing to help Haro when she could have turned her back on him. While I wanted to dislike Arabella, I found it impossible to do so. She was only a daughter helping her father achieve his dream of changing their family’s social status from its position in the “middle class” to becoming a member of the nobility.
The secondary characters are also well developed and I especially liked Haro’s family; his mother Lady Edith and his younger brother Torin, were supportive and understood the sacrifice he was making for all of their futures. I also enjoyed getting to know Inspector Pevensie, the man assigned to investigate Arabella’s murder and whose hobby of sketching played a part in the book. The murder mystery itself was well handled and took several interesting twists and turns, and of course the villain was easily to hate.
Will Haro and Eda prove who the real killer is? Will the love they feel for each other have a chance to grow and lead to their marriage or will the financial situation Haro is in keep him from the woman he loves? You’ll have to read To Wed an Heiress to find out I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Ms. Lortz’s work.
June 13, 2025
Haro Emison has just become the new Earl of Anglesford and has discovered that his father left the family impoverished, due to his gambling debts. His mother, younger brother Torin, and second cousin Eda (who was considered to be his future wife at some point), are left in turmoil. The burden upon young Haro's shoulders is a heavy one. His only recourse is to marry an heiress. He quickly finds a wealthy tradesman's daughter and proposes a day or two after meeting her. Only desperation and his youth and inexperience could have driven him to propose to Arabella Hastings. Her father is the stereotype of an oily tradesman, uncouth, imperious, rich as Croesus, who dresses in flashy clothes and wants to marry his daughter off to a peer. Arabella has had all the required training in finishing school and with tutors. All of that polish hasn't made her intelligent or discerning. She has as little sincerity and depth as her father.
Meanwhile, Eda has accepted the inevitable and decided to hide behind a mask of indifferent friendliness. She does have brains. When Arabella makes less than subtle remarks, Eda cleverly counters them without appearing unsociable. The tension between them grows poisonous.
Part 1 of the story was not a pleasant read. The tension and animosity, together with Haro's weakness of character, were a difficult slog. The atmosphere completely changes in Part 2. Now there's a murder to solve, as Mr. Pevensey is called in to find the culprit. It's a bit drawn out, since there are many characters to interview and suspects to eliminate.
The ending involving Uncle Harold was no surprise. There is very little romance in this one, and practically no sexual tension at all. This isn't my favorite novel by the author. I couldn't warm up to the usually spineless Haro, or to the prickly Eda.
Meanwhile, Eda has accepted the inevitable and decided to hide behind a mask of indifferent friendliness. She does have brains. When Arabella makes less than subtle remarks, Eda cleverly counters them without appearing unsociable. The tension between them grows poisonous.
Part 1 of the story was not a pleasant read. The tension and animosity, together with Haro's weakness of character, were a difficult slog. The atmosphere completely changes in Part 2. Now there's a murder to solve, as Mr. Pevensey is called in to find the culprit. It's a bit drawn out, since there are many characters to interview and suspects to eliminate.
The ending involving Uncle Harold was no surprise. There is very little romance in this one, and practically no sexual tension at all. This isn't my favorite novel by the author. I couldn't warm up to the usually spineless Haro, or to the prickly Eda.
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