ARC Review: A Novel Disguise by Samantha Larsen

A Novel Disguise
Author: Samantha Larsen
Series: A Lady Librarian Mystery
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (May 16, 2023)

Description: When Miss Tiffany Woodall assumes the identity of her half-brother after his death, she realizes she isn’t the only one with a secret to hide in this historical series debut, perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Sherry Thomas.

1784 London. Miss Tiffany Woodall didn’t murder her half-brother, but she did bury him in the back garden so that she could keep her cottage. Now, the confirmed spinster has to pretend to be Uriah and fulfill his duties as the Duke of Beaufort’s librarian while searching Astwell Palace for Uriah’s missing diamond pin, the only thing of value they own. Her ruse is almost up when she is discovered by Mr. Samir Lathrop, the local bookseller, who tries to save her from drowning while she's actually just washing up in a lake after burying her brother.

Her plan is going by the book, until the rector proposes marriage and she starts to develop feelings for Mr. Lathrop.  But when her childhood friend, Tess, comes to visit, Tiffany quickly realizes her secret isn’t the only one hidden within these walls.  The body of a servant is found, along with a collection of stolen items, and someone else grows mysteriously ill. Can Tiffany solve these mysteries without her own disguise being discovered? If not, she’ll lose her cottage and possibly her life.

My Thoughts: When Tiffany Woodall's older half-brother Uriah dies in the night, Tiffany decides to bury him in the garden and assume his identity as the librarian for the Duke of Beaufort. If she doesn't, she'll lose her home and be thrown on the parish for charity. 

She is almost caught the very first night of her deception when bookseller Samir Lathrop catches her swimming in the Duke's lake to clean up after grave-digging and attempts to "rescue" her. She gradually fits herself into life at Astwell Palace but things begin to get difficult when one of her childhood friends comes to visit and she needs to find a way to be both herself and her brother.

More problems come when the slimy vicar decides that Tiffany will make an excellent third wife and mother to his fourteen children. And still more problems arrive when a larcenous maid dies after taking poisoned snuff and the footman who takes the maid's snuffbox gets sick. Tiffany realizes that her brother's death was also caused by poisoned snuff instead of his usual stomach complaints as she had first believed. 

Now Tiffany needs to find out who murdered the maid and her brother while keeping her identity secret from everyone including Mr. Lathrop who has introduced her to novels and been a friend to her. 

This was an entertaining historical mystery set in the 1700s in England. There was interesting historical detail especially regarding people of color in England at that time. I also enjoyed reading about the various costumes and make-up of the day and the criminal justice system. 

Favorite Quote:

"Ah, Tiffany," Tess said in her usual bright voice. "You've found your way back, but now we have lost Mr. Woodall."

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