ARC Review: Murder of a Merry Gentleman by Celeste Connally

Murder of a Merry Gentleman
Author: Celeste Connally
Series: Lady Petra Inquires (Book 4)
Publication: Minotaur Books (November 10, 2026)

Description: Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in this dazzling fourth installment to the captivating Regency-era Lady Petra Inquires mystery series.

London, December, 1815. It’s Christmastime, and Lady Petra Forsyth is concentrating on behaving herself. Thus, she’s volunteered to assist the Lady Patronesses of Almack’s Assembly Rooms with a series of bachelor-auction dances in the fortnight leading up to Christmas Eve. Over five nights, the families of unmarried ladies will each bid for their daughter to be the evening’s hostess and dance with the five eligible bachelors―called the Merry Gentlemen in a nod to the season.

However, after only the first evening, Petra discovers the dead body of one of the bachelors, splayed below the ballroom’s balcony. The death is declared an accident, but when another bachelor’s life is nearly ended a few days later, Petra fears something more sinister may be afoot. As tensions rise, the Patronesses ask Petra to investigate from within…by pretending to be one of the ladies vying for the bachelors’ attentions. Indeed, it’s enough to make an obstinate, headstrong girl scream.

As she begins to unravel the truth, all while pretending to flirt with the bachelors to keep her cover, Petra will need to act like a lady―a Lady Patroness, that is―think like an enterprising scientist, and use every lock pick and defensive move she has learned to ensure that her reputation―and her life―don’t become the next target.

My Thoughts: MURDER OF A MERRY GENTLEMAN is the fourth Lady Petra Investigates historical mystery. It is Christmas time and Lady Petra is trying to be good. She has been roped in to assist the patronesses of Almacks to help arrange a bachelor auction to raise money for charity.

The patronesses have designated four men to be the Merry Bachelors and are taking bids from the families of marriageable young ladies to be their dates at a series of dances. As it happens, both the men and the young ladies have focuses on science. The young ladies have accused the men of stealing their research in order to publish their findings under the man's name. 

When one of the Merry Bachelors is found dead in the ballroom of the first dance with the four young ladies hovering over him, Lady Petra is tasked with finding the killer without creating undue publicity.

Lady Petra has a second case too. Her young friend Teddy has asked her to visit Newgate Prison to find out why his mother has been arrested and is slated for exile in Australia. Unfortunately and surprisingly, Fenella refuses to meet with Lady Petra but does pass her a coded note which doesn't really help clarigy things for her. 

Events ensue including attacks on a couple of the other Merry Gentlemen while Petra tries to unravel the mysteries. It doesn't help that both the Merry Gentlemen and the scientific ladies are keeping secrets from her. 

This was an engaging historical mystery with interesting characters. Many of the characters make life altering decisions including Lady Petra.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: You, Me, & the Conspiracy by Emma Barry

You, Me, & the Conspiracy
Author: Emma Barry
Publication: Atria Books (November 10, 2026)

Description: Perfect for fans of Jo Segura and Rachel Grant, You, Me, & the Conspiracy is an academic adventure romance that finds two history professors trying to unmask a deadly secret society.

After a bruising book rejection, tenure-track history professor Jessica Wilson is scrambling for something new to publish to secure her spot at the top of the academic food chain. While researching in the archives, she discovers a coded message written by one of the founding fathers with the power to change her—and the world’s—understanding of American history forever. But first, she’s got to prove it’s real.

Desperate for answers, Jess searches out Calloway Morgan, a Harvard PhD student turned adjunct professor. Cal was forced to leave graduate school after presenting theories about a shadowy revolutionary organization. Jess heard his conference presentation and thought his findings were absurd, but now, she believes he was onto something.

With their fates intertwined by their discoveries, the two begin to work together, but danger lurks around every corner. The clandestine fraternity that they’ve uncovered still exists and is ready to kill. With it hot on their heels, the embers of Jess and Cal’s attraction grow. But unless they can make their findings public in this “perfect blend of chemistry, spice, and a historical mystery” (Adriana Anders, author of Whiteout), they’ll soon become the conspiracy’s latest victims...

My Thoughts: This romance gave me The DaVinci Code vibes though certainly updated to the present and with a lot more romance. Jessica Wilson has a doctorate and has a tenure-track position at a prestigious university. However, her book is rejected for publication which derails her. While searching for a new idea, she finds a coded message in a book of Alexander Hamilton papers that sends her life on a new track.

Cal Morgan already had his life derailed when he spoke at a conference about a mysterious group that is controlling the United States government - a group that began in Alexander Hamilton's time. Now he's a PhD dropout and an adjunct professor teaching History at a community college. 

Jess tracks down Cal since she heard his conference presentation to find out if her coded note might be a fit with his conspiracy theory. The two find themselves on the run from a shadowy organization that started in Revolutionary times and has existed ever since. 

The find themselves hiding out in a 1970s RV in the garage of a noted conspiracy theorist and prepper while they try to find evidence to support their beliefs and bring down this shadowy group. Along the way, the pair falls in love but neither believes it will last because both expect to be killed by the shadow group.

This was an engaging story that nicely mixed thriller and romance. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (November 2, 2026)

 It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

It’s Monday!  What Are You Reading is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week.  It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Want to See What I Added to My Stack? links to Stacking the Shelves hosted by Marlene at Reading Reality.

Other Than Reading...

This week had lots of baseball. I found myself enjoying the World Series games which were all exciting. I was pleased for the Milwaukee Brewers who won the World series for the first time in many, many years. 

Otherwise, the week was a quiet one. I have been slowly chipping away at my November review copies and need to concentrate on that again this week. I don't recall ever being so far behind on my reading calendar. I have no cushion right now which makes me anxious. 

I am looking forward to Election Day on Tuesday when, hopefully, all the political commentary will go away from my Facebook feed. I also have an annual visit to my gastroenterologist on Friday. Otherwise, the week is mine. 

I did buy a book for Nonfiction November written by three brothers who are active on social media and are gadflies highlighting abuses by the current administration. 

October Report

I read 38 books in October. Twenty-six were mine and twelve were review copies. Of the 26, I listened to 23 audiobooks for a total of almost 256 hours. Eighteen of my books this month were rereads. Eight came off my TBR pile. Among the audiobooks were the whole 16 book Vorkosigan series. 

I added 31 books to my LibraryThing account including five audiobooks and eleven review copies. Eleven of the new additions are still marked TBR. For 2026, I have 24 books still marked TBR.

Here is my State of the Stack post. 

Read Last Week

• You, Me, & the Conspiracy by Emma Barry (Review, November 10) -- Two historians are on the run from a shadow organization that have run the US since its founding. My review will be posted on November 3.
• Murder of a Merry Gentleman by Celeste Connally (Review, November 10) -- Fourth Lady Petra Investigates takes place during Christmas time and includes the murder of a man who has come to Almacks in search of a wife. My review will be posted on November 3.
• Thunderbird Ranch by Laura Griffin (Review, November 10) -- A woman comes with her new fiancé to be introduced to his family and finds a body and lots of secrets. My review will be posted on November 4.

• The Case of the Christie Wedding Affair by Kelly Oliver (Kindle & Audiobook, Mine since October 6) -- Another Detection Club historical mystery. My review will be posted on November 19.
• The Ghost and Mrs. Holloway by Jennifer Ashley (Kindle novella, Mine since October 29) -- The intrepid Mrs. Holloway is asked by a friend to determine if a house is haunted. 
• Bad Company by Sara Paretsky (Review, November 10) -- A retired CIA agent is called back to service when a photo appears blaming her for troubles in the country where she was posted the longest. She has to elude her own agency to find out what is happening. My review will be posted on November 5.

• The Shadow Friends by Tess Gerritsen (Audiobook, Mine since October 26) -- The third adventures of a group of retired CIA agents. My review will be posted on November 20.
• Crowbones by Anne Bishop (Audiobook reread) -- This one takes place around Halloween.

Currently

• Angels & Demons by Dan Brown (Audiobook, Mine since October 24)
• Fall for a Fairytale by Isabelle Taylor (Review, November 10)

Next Week

• Infinite Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver (Review, November 10)
• The Riddle Maker by Bruce Borgos (Review, November 17)
• The Killing Time by Elly Griffiths (Review, November 17)

• Birth of the Witch by Nora Roberts (Review, November 17)
• The Fey Duology by Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (Kindle, Mine since July 1)
• Lily Starling and the Storm Riders by Christian Hurst (Kinde, Mine since May 13)

Reviews Posted

• Knave of Diamonds by Laurie R. King (Audiobook)
• Midnight in the House of Commons by Charles Finch (Review copy)
• A Glimmer of Death by Laurell K. Hamilton (Review copy)

• The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow by Caitriona Moran (Review copy)
• Sunflower Season by Danica Nava (Review copy)
• Loki's Wolves by K. L. Armstrong and Melissa Marr (Mine)

Want to See What I Added to My Stack Last Week?

Review:

• Emily Wilde's History of Dark Faerie by Heather Fawcett (Review, January 19)
• The Spring by Melissa Larsen (Review, April 13)

Bought:

• WTF America?! by Ben, Brett, and Jordy Micelas (Kindle)
• The Ghost and Mrs. Holloway by Jennifer Ashley (Kindle)

What was your week like?

State of the Stack (October 31, 2026)

This is my monthly post which details progress made on review books. I want to thank the authors and publishers who have contributed their books. 

Read This Month 

Dates indicate the date the review was/will be posted.

1. Split Screen by Lee Goldberg (October 15)
2. Joy to the Bones by Carolyn Haines (October 20)
3. Murder at Pellhurst Pond by Clara McKenna (October 21)
4. Murder in the Upper Crust by Mindy Quigley (October 22)
5. The Bone Woman by Paige Shelton (October 22)
6. Midnight in the House of Commons by Charles Finch (October 27)
7. A Glimmer of Death by Laurell K. Hamilton (October 28)
8. Sunflower Season by Danica Nava (October 29)
9. The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow by Caitriona Moran (October 29)
10. You, Me, & the Conspiracy by Emma Barry (November 3)
11. Murder of a Merry Gentleman by Celeste Connally (November 3)
12. Thunderbird Ranch by Laura Griffin (November 4)

DNF

1.  

Read Previously, Posted This Month 

Dates indicate when the review was posted.

1. Home for the Homicides by Elle Cosimano & Hannah Morrissey (October 7)
2. Please Enjoy Your Stay by Tara Goedjen (October 8)
3. Bark Humbug by David Rosenfelt (October 8)
4. The Christmas Competition by Zoe Allison (October 13)
5. The Key to a Killer by Olivia Blacke (October 14)

New This Month 

Date indicates when the book will be released.

1. Cold Redemption by Nalini Singh (December 1)
2. Mrs. Christie and the Mystery in the Mews by Amanda Chapman (December 8)
3. Pressure Point by A. J. Landau (December 8)
4. When Harry Met Homicide by Meg Blakemore (January 12, 2027)
5. Emily Wilde's History of Dark Faerie by Heather Fawcett (January 19, 2027)
6. The Bookbinder's Code by A. D. Bell (January 26, 2027)
7. One Killing Frost by Paula Munier (January 26, 2027)
8. Last Resort at Haven's Rock by Kelley Armstrong (February 16, 2027)
9. Coffee & Conjuring by Isla Jewell (February 16, 2027)
10. Mary Russell's Ghost by Laurie R. King (February 23, 2027)
11. Death on Campus by Victoria Gilbert (March 23, 2027)
12. Gone at First Light by T. Jefferson Parker (March 23, 2027)
13. The Muscle Car Murders by Diane Kelly (March 30, 2027)
14. For Butter or Worse by Elle Alexander (April 6, 2027)
15. The Spring by Melissa Larsen (April 13, 2027)
16. Raiders of the Lost Bark by Spencer Quinn (April 13, 2027)

All TBR Review Books

November

• Bad Company by Sara Paretsky (November 10)
  
• Fall for a Fairytale by Isabelle Taylor (November 10)
• Infinite Wisdom by Thomas R. Weaver (November 10)

• The Riddle Maker by Bruce Borgos (November 17)
• The Killing Time by Elly Griffiths (November 17)
• Birth of the Witch by Nora Roberts (November 17)

December

• Murder Unabridged by P. J. Nelson (December 1)
• Revenge in a Small Town by Delia Pitts (December 1)

• Cold Redemption by Nalini Singh (December 1)
• Mrs. Christie and the Mystery in the Mews by Amanda Chapman (December 8)
• Cry of the Rain Crow by Laurie L. Dove (December 8)

• Pressure Point by A. J. Landau (December 8)
• Meet Me at Midnight by Sophie Sullivan (December 8)

January

• Murder Most Irregular by Vicki Delany (January 5)
• When Harriet Met Homicide by Meg Blakemore (January 12)
• Save a Horse by Jen Doyle (January 12)

• The Magical Cheese Emporium by Sarah Beth Durst (January 19)
• Emily Wilde's History of Dark Faerie by Heather Fawcett (January 19)
• Last Mission to Paris by Susan Elia MacNeal (January 19)

• Roundabout by Jeff Rake & Rob Hart (January 19)
• The Bookbinder's Code by A. D. Bell (January 26)
• The Book Hunter by Jayne Ann Krentz (January 26)

• Scream City by Hannah Morrissey (January 26)
• One Killing Frost by Paula Munier (January 26)

February

• A Rogue's Guide to Winning a Wife by Meredith E. Phillips (February 2)
• Perfect in Death by J. D. Robb (February 2)
• Please Kill My Boss by Evie Ross (February 9)

• Last Resort at Haven's Rock by Kelley Armstrong (February 16)
• Murder Most Cryptic by Alys Cummings (February 16)
• The Last Match by Jessa Maxwell (February 16)

• Coffee & Conjuring by Isla Jewell (February 16)
• Mary Russell's Ghost and Other Stories of Suspense by Laurie R. King (February 23)

March

• Tell Me What You See by Samantha Jayne Allen (March 2)
• Elodie and the Dark Lord by Ashley Poston (March 16)
• Death on Campus by Victoria Gilbert (March 23)

• Gone at First Light by T. Jefferson Parker (March 23)
• Peril in the Night by Katharine Schellman (March 23)
• The Muscle Car Murder by Diane Kelly (March 30)

April

• For Butter or For Worse by Ellie Alexander (April 6)
• The Spring by Melissa Larsen (April 13)
• Raiders of the Lost Bark by Spencer Quinn (April 13)

June

• Big Cult Energy by Jack Friday (June 1)

Book Review: Loki's Wolves by K. L. Armstrong & Melissa Marr

Loki's Wolves
Author: K. L. Armstrong & Melissa Marr
Series: The Blackwell Pages (Book 1)
Publication: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (May 13, 2014)

Description: Perfect for fans of Percy Jackson! Begin the epic Blackwell Pages series with this action-packed adventure, filled with larger-than-life legends, gripping battles, and an engaging cast of characters who bring the myths to life.

While thirteen-year-old Matt Thorsen has always known he's a modern-day descendent of Thor, he's been living a normal kid's life. In fact, most people in the small town of Blackwell, South Dakota, are direct descendants of either Thor or Loki, including Matt's classmates Fen and Laurie Brekke. No big deal.

But now Ragnarok is coming, and it's up to the champions to fight in the place of the long-dead gods. Matt, Laurie, and Fen's lives will never be the same as they race to put together an unstoppable team, find Thor's hammer and shield, and prevent the end of the world.

My Thoughts: This middle grade fantasy is based on Norse mythology. Matt Thorsen has always known that he is a descendant of Thor. He didn't know however that Ragnarok is coming and that he is the champion chosen by his people to fight the serpent and save the day. Matt is the youngest in his family and feels himself to be the least. His two older brothers are, in his opinion, bigger, smarter and more suited to the task.

Matt has to gather the other descendants of the gods of the North and begins with school rival Fen and his cousin Laurie who are the descendants of Loki. Together they need to follow the clues given to Matt and Laurie to search South Dakota for the rest of their potential crew.

I enjoyed the characters of the kids. Matt is uncertain and feels unequal to his new task. Fen is a throwaway kid being passed from relative to relative. His only real friend and connection is Laurie who doesn't know her cousin Fen can turn into a wolf or know what her own powers are.

The story is filled with adventure from fighting trolls at Mount Rushmore to wolves closer to home. They gather more kids to be part of their crew and suffer both betrayal and loss. I enjoyed the worldbuilding.  

I bought this one October 8. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: Sunflower Season by Danica Nava

Sunflower Season
Author: Danica Nava
Publication: Berkley (November 3, 2026)

Description: Fed up and burnt-out, a woman leaves the city to take on the challenge of owning a sunflower farm but finds that her biggest trial is facing her first love in this charming second-chance romance by USA Today bestselling author Danica Nava.

Drained by her high-pressure tech job, June Walker finds an escape in homesteading videos and the fantasy of a quieter life. When she finally hits her breaking point, she does the only reasonable thing: She quits her job and buys a crumbling sunflower farm in rural Oklahoma, where she grew up.

June thought her biggest challenge in restoring Sunshine Farm would be the rotting fences but soon comes to the crushing realization that “positive vibes” are not a business plan. Nothing, however, tests her resolve quite like running into her first love, the boy she left behind after her world imploded when she was seventeen. She’s back for a fresh start, not to unpack old heartbreaks.

Noah Abbott never left Love County. Between his family, his job with the local fire brigade, and a town that knows him inside and out, he has everything he needs—except answers. So when June Walker returns as the new owner of Sunshine Farm, Noah is determined to find out why the girl who once meant everything to him vanished without a word.

As old wounds crack open and attraction flares back to life, June and Noah are forced to reckon with their past and decide whether first love is a memory best left buried or the one thing worth replanting.

My Thoughts: This second chance romance stars June Walker who has quit her high-pressure tech job to come home and restore Sunflower Farm which is a place filled with happy childhood memories. It also stars Noah Abbott who never left the area and who is now a firefighter for the local brigade. The two were childhood sweethearts who were ripped apart when June's grandmother dies and her brother sells everything and takes her back to Dartmouth with him so that he can continue college.

June is a high school senior who has already been accepted at UC Berkley when her grandmother dies. She wants to accept Noah's proposal of marriage, but her brother prevails. These stresses trigger a series of anxiety attacks which have plagued her in the years since and plague her still.

She is hoping that returning home and restoring Sunshine Farm will be the life change she needs to regain her health and happiness. She isn't sure what to think when Noah tries to rekindle their friendship and romance. She's sure he's moved on. 

This story is told from both Noah's and June's points of view and covers a year filled with growth and restoration along with a variety of problems and sorrows. Fans of complex romances will enjoy this one.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.

ARC Review: The Trial of Magdelena Overmorrow by Catriona Moran

The Trial of Magdelena Overmorrow
Author: Catriona Moran
Publication: G. P. Putnam's (November 3, 2026)

Description: Perfect for readers of Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden, The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a sweeping enemies-to-lovers debut epic for romantasy-curious fantasy readers, fantasy-curious romantasy readers, and all lovers of slowburn romance.

Scholar. Healer. Harlot.

In her house, the villainy is her.

Magdalena Overmorrow has been called a scholar, a healer, a harlot. She carves out some measure of freedom for the women of Astoleyn, risking capture and death by caring for them and performing forbidden abortions. When she’s betrayed by a close confidante, she faces banishment to the realm’s desolate northernmost city as an accused witch. There, she must await her trial and possible doom under the watchful aegis of the Lord Proctor of Cair Gramora, a man so pious and humorless it is rumored that he has never once laughed in his life.

When she arrives, though, Magda is surprised to find that the Lord Proctor isn’t the grizzled old priest she expected but a man barely older than she is. As cold and mysterious and beautiful as the mountains at the cair’s northern border, he holds her life in his hands. One word from him could send her to the stake or worse, but she can’t help her fascination with a man and fellow scholar who is more than he appears to be, and the dangerous secrets he is clearly keeping. As her trial draws closer and the intrigue of the isolated cair threatens them both, she and the Lord Proctor must form an uneasy alliance that could either save her life or lead her to martyrdom and ruin.

My Thoughts: Magdalena Overmorrow has run afoul of the religious hierarchy of her city. She is a scholar and a healer who is known for helping women in a society that routinely abuses them. She is also a magic user and can enhance her herbal concoctions. She has been performing forbidden abortions. 

Magdalena is arrested and sent to the far north until it is time for her trial which will likely result in her burning at the stake. In the north, she is put under the care of the Lord Proctor who is noted for his piety. She finds that he is a man of secrets and she falls in love with him. He seems to return her feelings until they are caught in a compromising position and he betrays her. 

This was a huge complex fantasy which centers on Magdalena. While she is away, her friend Jula who is a lawyer is fighting to build a case to keep her from being burned. Correspondence from women Magdalena helped let the reader know more about her past actions and more about the culture she lives in. 

I liked the magic. I liked Magdalena. I didn't like the rigidly religious society in the story.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.