Audiobook Review: Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens by Andrea Penrose

Murder at the Royal Botanic Gardens
Author: Andrea Penrose
Narrator: James Cameron Stewart
Series: Wrexford & Sloane Mysteries (Book 5)
Publication: Tantor Audio (September 28, 2021)
Length: 12 hours

Description: The upcoming marriage of the earl of Wrexford and Lady Charlotte Sloane promises to be a highlight of the season, if they can first untangle - and survive - a web of intrigue and murder involving the most brilliant scientific minds in Regency London....

One advantage of being caught up in a whirl of dress fittings and decisions about flower arrangements is that Charlotte Sloane has little time for any pre-wedding qualms. Her love for Wrexford isn't in question. But will being a wife - and a countess - make it difficult for her to maintain her independence - not to mention, her secret identity as famed satirical artist A. J. Quill?

Despite those concerns, there are soon even more urgent matters to attend to during Charlotte and Wrexford's first public outing as an engaged couple. At a symposium at the Royal Botanic Gardens, a visiting botanist suffers a fatal collapse. The traces of white powder near his mouth reveal the dark truth - he was murdered. Drawn into the investigation, Charlotte and the Earl learn of the victim's involvement in a momentous medical discovery. With fame and immense fortune at stake, there's no shortage of suspects, including some whose ruthlessness is already known. But neither Charlotte nor her husband-to-be can realize how close the danger is about to get - or to what lengths this villain is prepared to go....

My Thoughts: Lady Charlotte has a lot to deal with in the run-up to her wedding which is just days away. She is worried about the changes in her life that her marriage will bring. She is also worried about an upcoming reunion with her estranged family. 

It doesn't help that a body is discovered in her first public outing with Wrexford at a symposium held at the Royal Botanic Gardens. At first it looks like the botanist suffered from a heart attack but traces of some white residue around his mouth place the diagnosis in doubt. Still, she and Wrexford shouldn't feel obligated to investigate as there is no connection to their family.

Then it is learned that Charlotte's ward Hawk was present though hidden and caught a glimpse of the killer. Still both Charlotte and Wrexford plan to turn all of their findings over to the Bow Street Runners and not get involved. 

However, the reappearance of an old enemy who appears to be working with some of the suspects in the murder and who is threatening Charlotte's loved ones, means that she has to get involved in order to protect the ones she loves. 

The scientific innovation that this story is centered on in the new science of botanic medicine. The victim had a potential cure for malaria to reveal at his keynote address. But there are also references to the United States and Great Britain working together to eradicate the slave trade and some of the suspects are involved in that too. 

This was another excellent historical mystery. I really like the way Charlotte and Wrexford are working together to define the kind of life and marriage that they want. It is also good watching her wards grow up. It was nice to revisit a number of the characters who had roles in earlier books in the series. 

I bought this one at Chirp January 10, 2024. You can buy your copy here.