A FIANCÉE'S GUIDE TO FIRST WIVES AND MURDER

In 1899 London, an aristocratic duo is forced to sleuth again.

American-born Frances, Countess of Harleigh, a widow with a young daughter, is eagerly anticipating her wedding to the Honorable George Hazelton when their peace is shattered by the arrival of Inspector Delaney and Irena Teskey, a young woman claiming to be George’s wife. Unfortunately, the scene is witnessed by gossipy Alicia Stoke-Whitney, in whose bed Frances’ first husband died. Irena's been arrested for throwing a stone at a visiting Russian grand duke she claims is her cousin. Irena, who seems to have a vivid imagination, says she’s an actress who co-owns a London theater and that she met George when he saved her from kidnappers. Her wild tale proves to be mostly true except for the part about being married to George, who does secret work for the government. Irena turns out to be the daughter of a Grand Duke and an unnamed aristocratic British woman; when she discloses that she's been receiving threatening letters, Frances reluctantly takes her in and the Prince of Wales tells George to investigate. The next surprise is the arrival of Mr. Bradmore, who’s legally married to Irena but wants a divorce. When Irena’s found strangled in Frances’ garden, gossip is already rife, and the engaged couple are destined to be shunned by society unless Frances can find the killer.

Amusing social mores in Victorian England make for a highly entertaining mystery.