A SPINSTER'S GUIDE TO DANGER AND DUKES

When her sister is accused of committing murder, Poppy Delamare returns home to uncover the truth and winds up in a fake betrothal to a duke.

Since she fled home two years ago so her stepfather couldn’t force her into a marriage with his private secretary, Lovell, Poppy has lived in London under the identity Flora Deaver. But when she discovers her younger sister married Lovell and is now blamed for his murder, Poppy doesn’t believe it and sets out to uncover what really happened. Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham, is taking a train in the same direction for his grandmother’s birthday party. He wants to help Poppy, so the pair make a pact: They’ll pretend to be betrothed so she’ll have more resources to help her sister and he won’t have to deal with Grandmama’s matchmaking attempts. At first, Poppy thinks Langham is arrogant and entitled, but her feelings change as she gets to know him. As they try to decide what to do about the very real chemistry developing between them, the case becomes bigger, twistier, and more dangerous. Like the previous titles in the series, this third installment mixes romance, murder mystery, and feminist sensibilities. The romance here is a simple slow burn that pairs well with the increasingly complex mystery providing most of the tension, and each arc has a satisfying, well-earned conclusion. The story bucks gender stereotypes with not just the obviously intelligent, fierce heroine, but more notably with a hero who’s learning to be vulnerable and imperfect.

Compelling, evenly paced, and delightfully fun.