I just love a book with a feisty protagonist that does not allow herself to be defined by societies limitations on women roles. If you love Tasha Alexander and Deanna Raybourne, check out this series, definite similar vibes of strong woman lead, dismissing the constraints put on her by 1800 society rules.
When the duchesses husband is found next to a murdered victim if the Opera House, tongues in their social circle wag at what should be an open and shut case. But the Duchess will not believe her husband had anything to do with such a crime and joins forces with the reluctant Bow Street detective with a few secrets and grudges of his own. The pair tackle the seedy side of society to uncover the many secrets. We’re those sparks starting to fly underneath the heated words of the duchess and the officer? Can they free her husband without the secrets being revealed? Will he even help them uncover the truths or must they overcome every obstacle themselves? The Duchess definitely has the tenacity to go as far as she needs, unless the officer continues to try and thwart her progress by getting in her way. I can’t wait to see where this series leads. ( )

A great start to a new series.
Loved it. Very reminiscent of one of my favorite series, the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt books by Anne Perry.
Looking forward to the next in the series.
Cara Devlin, with this first book in the series will definitely become one of my
Favorite new Authors. ( )

A good new team is evolving as the Dutchess and a Bow Street detective team, well very grudgingly so, together to rescue her husband from his accusation of a brutal murder. ( )

Oh, I really loved this book. Everything about it appealed to me; historical, murder, paranormal, romance and mystery.

The Duchess and Hugh become unlikely allies after her husband is arrested for the murder of an opera singer. Hugh is certain he has the right man until the evidence starts to create doubt in his mind. He and Audrey keep crossing paths as she conducts her own investigation and they eventually begin to trust one another and work together. I enjoyed watching them become friends and the spark between them will surely lead to more sexual tension in the next book.

The main characters all have interesting backstories. There is still some mystery surrounding Hugh's past but there is enough to understand his background and it will be interesting to find out more as the series progresses.
I liked Audrey's husband, Philip and it leads me to worry about whether there is an impending death for him somewhere along the line to eventually allow Audrey and Hugh to marry.
Hugh's eyes and ears on the street, the boy he calls Sir, was a cute addition and I hope he gets involved in more cases and is rewarded well.

The murder of the opera singer was brutal. It set an ominous and suspenseful tone to the story as Audrey began her investigations by interviewing people any of whom could potentially be the cold-blooded killer.
I found this book difficult to put down and I finished reading it fairly quickly.
I can't wait until March for the next book in the series, Death at Fournier Downs.

A well-deserved five stars for Murder At The Seven Dials. ( )

Murder at the Seven Dials by Cara Devlin
Bow Street Duchess #1

Excellent introduction to a new series. Couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait for book two.

What I liked;
* Audrey: Duchess of Fournier, married to her childhood friend and keeps his secret as he keeps hers, extrasensory perception of psychometry, has spent time in an asylum due to her paranormal ability, seeks to prove her husband is not guilty of the murder he was arrested for, admirable, strong, intelligent, intriguing
* Huge Marsden: principal Bow Street officer, nanny’s son, Viscount’s by-blow, scandal in his past, good friend of Dr. Thornton, well educated and eloquent, willing to admit mistakes, protective, intelligent, accepting, intriguing
* The respect, friendship, and commitment Audrey and Philip have within their marriage – it has saved them both from a difficult alternative future
* Sir: young lad, poor, enterprising, nose to the ground, works off and on for Marsden
* The writing, plot, pacing, character development, potential of the story
* That it reminded me of some favorite historical mysteries I have read in the past
* The way the real murderer is ultimately found and dealt with
* The intricacies of the relationships that may develop that will involve Audrey, Philip, Hugh, and others
* Reading a new-to-me author I hope will become a favorite

What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how difficult it would have been to live in this era

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Definitely

Thank you to the NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars ( )