An Heir Is Misplaced by Helen Golden by Helen Golden
Series: The Duchess of Stortford Mysteries #1
Genres: British Mystery, Cozy Mystery
A missing heir. An out of sorts duchess. A Season in High Society that just became far more interesting…
London, 1891.With the gossip broadsheet The Society Page speculating that her husband is getting far too cosy with their female neighbour back at his country estate, Alice, Duchess of Stortford, is fed-up. And it’s raining! But when a flustered nobleman appears at her door, knowing of her reputation for managing discreet enquires, he begs her for help. His nephew, who is about to inherit an Earldom, has gone missing.
But the deeper Alice digs, the murkier things become. Why are the late Earl’s wife and his stepson so evasive? What really happened at The Carlton Hotel the night the heir was last seen? And who’s set to gain the Earldom if the heir ends up dead?
Aided by her loyal maid Maud, her quick-thinking footman George, and the ever-resourceful private investigator Ben Beaumont—not to mention a certain well-known detective with a pipe—Alice must untangle a web of secrets to find the missing heir before it’s too late.
The clock is ticking, the gossip is swirling—and only Alice can set things right.
A charming and twist-filled historical cozy mystery, An Heir is Misplaced is perfect for fans of clever heroines, upstairs-downstairs sleuthing, and mysteries with a touch of wit and warmth.
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Review
An Heir Is Misplaced by Helen Golden is a delightful novella that blends wit, mystery, and a dash of drama into the perfect cozy historical read. We meet Alice, the Duchess of Stortford, who is struggling with her marriage and in need of a distraction. That distraction comes in the form of a puzzling case: a young man goes missing just as he is about to inherit an Earldom. To make matters even more exciting, none other than a certain famous detective from 221B Baker Street takes an interest in the case, setting the stage for an entertaining and clever mystery.
Despite its shorter length, this story manages to pack in so much. There’s a tightly woven mystery, moments of humor, and intriguing side plots involving Alice’s absent husband and her father’s upcoming birthday celebration. I also loved the subtle hints of possible romance that may unfold in future installments.
Golden’s writing strikes the right balance of atmosphere and lightheartedness, making this a quick yet satisfying read. It’s the kind of novella you can devour in one sitting but still feel fully entertained by its twists, characters, and charm. Most importantly, it left me hooked and eager to continue with the next books in the series, A Husband is Hushed Up and A Dowager is Done-In.
If you enjoy cozy historical mysteries with a strong female lead, a dash of humor, and a perfectly British flavor, this is one not to miss.
Meet the Author
About Helen Golden
With quirky characters, clever red herrings, and plots that keep the pages turning, she’s the author of the much-loved A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series, following Lady Beatrice and her friends—including one clever little dog—as they uncover secrets hidden in country houses and royal palaces. Her new historical mystery series, The Duchess of Stortford Mysteries, is set in Victorian England and introduces an equally curious sleuth from Lady Beatrice’s own family tree—where murders are solved over cups of tea, whispered gossip, and overheard conversations in drawing rooms and grand estates.
Helen lives in a quintessential English village in Lincolnshire with her husband, stepdaughter, and a menagerie of pets—including a dog, several cats, a tortoise, and far too many fish.
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