{"product_id":"murder-of-a-merry-gentleman-a-mystery-celeste-connally-hardcover","title":"Murder of a Merry Gentleman: A Mystery -- Celeste Connally, Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBridgerton meets Agatha Christie in this d\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eazzling fourth installment to the captivating Regency-era Lady Petra Inquires mystery series.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eLondon, December, 1815.\u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eHowever, 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAs 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Celeste Connally\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Minotaur Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 11\/10\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 320\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.00lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.25h x 5.38w x 1.00d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781250387424\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 09\/01\/2026 pg. 92\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 09\/14\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 09\/15\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCELESTE CONNALLY is an Agatha Award nominee, and a former freelance writer and editor. A lifelong devotee of historical novels and adaptations fueled by her passion for history--plus weekly doses of PBS Masterpiece--Celeste loves reading and writing about women from the past who didn't always do as they were told.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Celeste Connally","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":68224287998180,"sku":"9781250387424","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0611\/9587\/8628\/files\/9781250387424.jpg?v=1794383338","url":"https:\/\/bookandmortar.com\/products\/murder-of-a-merry-gentleman-a-mystery-celeste-connally-hardcover","provider":"BookandMortar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}