I really loved this outing in the Wrexford and Sloane mysteries. The mystery was well done and the cast of characters was great. I love seeing all of the side characters and their interactions. The only thing I regret about reading this book is the wait to the next one in the series. I won an e-arc of this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but I purchased the first three novels and will buy any others as I am definitely a fan. ( )

The mystery surrounding involvement of high-level conspirators defrauding the British East India Company was a good premise to develop the plot for the latest investigation by Charlotte and Wrexford. However, the mathematical convolutions and the underlying financial shenanigans to manipulate the bills of exchange and the profits made thereby, was less than clear or even especially interesting.
The prolonged on and off again relationship between the main protagonists drags on, in an eye-rolling reader-frustration at the loss of their edgy relationship in the earlier books.
Again, Penrose aggravated me with the overuse of the same word. The characters (Lady Cordelia and Wrexford in particular), uttering ad nauseum that this person or that group of people were ‘dastards’ certainly derails suspense and excitement in the narrative. ( )

The author's interest and background in history enable her to integrate the science of the era nicely into her storyline. The primary characters are evolving nicely and there is sufficient mystery to qualify it as such. ( )

I’ve really enjoyed the first three books in this series, and though I enjoyed this one too it was a bit heavy on the sentimentality.

Penrose crafts her plots around fictionalised versions of real historic events, and this time around it’s mathematical machines and financial shenanigans that may or may not involve the East India Company. Her historical knowledge always adds an extra depth to the story, and a well plotted mystery makes it even better.

Charlotte has built quite a scooby gang around her and Wexford, and the characters are fully fleshed and they’re easy to care about and cheer for. But the dynamic between Wexford and Charlotte has become increasingly sentimental to the point of down right syrupy. The sentiments are lovely, but just a little too much for my tastes. I was also getting aggravated at the overuse of the word ‘dastards’.

I’m still a fan, but I’m hoping the next book will regain a little of the edge the first couple had. ( )

Murder at Queen’s Landing - Penrose
3 stars

I’m afraid I got lost in the details of this mystery. Several friends of Charlotte and Wrexford are implicated in a complex financial fraud and the murder of a shipping clerk. I simply could not follow the intricate scheming behind the money scam involved with the East India Company and opium smuggling. (Penrose is an author who does include historical details to demonstrate the depth of her research.) However, despite my lack of interest in the details of 19th century international banking, it wasn’t hard to identify the murderer. The details of developing science and technology (an elaborate, early calculator and a prototype steam engine) are interesting while they behave a bit like red herrings to the mystery plot.

In any case, the mystery is secondary to the developing relationships of the characters. Charlotte and Wrexford do a lot of personal soul searching about the nature of emotional attachments, but there’s really no doubt about which way the wind blows. Raven and Hawk add their energy and antics. There’s very little tension in any of the relationships. All personal secrets are known and shared among friends. All scruffy street children are guaranteed safe housing and education. Adding even more warm fuzzies to the cast, a Scottish deerhound named Harper contributes comic relief unless he’s required to take down a criminal. ( )