Audiobook Review: Murder at the Merton Library by Andrea Penrose

Murder at the Merton Library
Author: Andrea Penrose
Narrator: James Cameron Stewart
Series: Wrexford and Sloane (Book 7)
Publication: Tantor Audio (September 26, 2023)
Length: 12 hours and 12 minutes

Description: Responding to an urgent plea from a troubled family friend, the Earl of Wrexford journeys to Oxford only to find the reclusive university librarian has been murdered and a rare manuscript has gone missing. The only clue is that someone overheard an argument in which Wrexford's name was mentioned.

At the same time, Charlotte—working under her pen name, A. J. Quill—must determine whether a laboratory fire was arson and if it's connected to the race between competing consortiums to build a new type of ship—one that can cross the ocean powered by steam rather than sails—with the potential to revolutionize military power and world commerce. That the race involves new innovations in finance and entrepreneurship only adds to the high stakes—especially as their good friend Kit Sheffield may be an investor in one of the competitors.

As they delve deeper into the baffling clues, Wrexford and Charlotte begin to realize that things are not what they seem. An evil conspiracy is lurking in the shadows and threatens all they hold dear—unless they can tie the loose threads together before it's too late . . .

My Thoughts: The seventh Wrexford and Sloane historical mystery has Wrex involved in solving the murder of his brother who died in a battle of the Napoleonic wars and Charlotte looking into the competition to develop a new way of propelling ships across oceans.

Plot complications include a missing manuscript by Leonardo daVinci and a possible investment scheme that may be fraudulent. While it looks like the two investigations are not connected, it soon becomes apparent that the same bad actors are involved in each. After all, a person who sold intelligence to the French which resulted in Wrex's brother's death is not above defrauding English investors for financial gain. 

I enjoyed this story which, among other things, is showing how both Wrex and Charlotte have changed since their marriage. I enjoy watching the Weasels grow up. And I enjoy the expanding group of people who are becoming Wrex and Charlotte's found family. 

Since each episode also deals with some new technology, it was entertaining to learn that this one focused on failures or ideas that were in advance of their time. Steam engines and propellors which could power a ship across the oceans were still about 25 years in the future of the 1814 setting of this story.

I bought this one from Chirp for $2.99 October 24, 2024. You can buy your copy here.