And Only to Deceive - Tasha Alexander - 4 stars

[Robin P]

This is the first of a mystery series starring Lady Emily Ashton, a young Victorian widow. She is independent and intelligent, and, as a widow, she has more freedom than most young ladies. This book centers on stolen antiquities and does a good job of making you suspect everyone, even the dead husband. The author has a note afterword about how she tried to keep the heroine within her times. Lady Emily scandalizes her mother by drinking port, but she doesn't try to travel alone or behave in a manner that would be too "modern" for the era. I will probably read more of this series.