Late for the Wedding

April 28, 2003
Private investigators Lavinia Lake and Tobias March (Slightly Shady;
Don't Look Back) return to the chase in Regency England, hot on the trail of a murderer for hire when not disporting themselves discreetly beneath the sheets. This time a macabre murderer appears to be copycatting two killers who left behind memento mori rings at the scenes of their crimes. The original Memento Mori Man murdered for hire decades earlier, taking on assignments only if he thought the target thoroughly deserved death. Three years before the start of this novel, the same "ghastly signature" was employed by Zachary Elland in tribute to his predecessor. Elland, March's fellow spy (during the Napoleonic wars), committed suicide after March unmasked him, so when a memento mori ring turns up on the doorstep of Elland's rich lover, Aspasia Gray, March is not surprised when she seeks him out at Lord Beaumont's country-house party. Lake, however, is dismayed, since Gray wants more than just March's investigative skills. A murder is promptly committed at Beaumont's estate, and Lake and March launch their investigations, centering on a certain unstylish blonde wig and a trio of dangerous, dowagers. Quick, a pseudonym for prolific romance author Jayne Anne Krentz, relies on her quicksilver sense of humor and tart research into period hairdressers and British upper-crust society. Lake and March's lusty if predictable romps should please Quick fans, as should the contrasting "demure" period flirtation between Lake's niece, Emeline , and March's adopted brother, Anthony, which is tested by the arrival of Dominic Hood, Anthony's half-brother, suggesting future fireworks. As this engaging effort demonstrates, Quick has the Regency–murder mystery mix down to a fine science.

Tobias March and Lavinia Lake team up again to solve the mystery of the "Memento Mori Man," who seems to be killing bridegrooms and somehow involves Aspasia Gray. (All of these are characters from earlier Quick mysteries.) As March and Lake uncover clues, they become embroiled in yet more intrigue within the upper classes of British society. Jennifer Van Dyck brings the society of Victorian Britain to life with her lilting tones and wonderful characterizations. While the abridgment cuts some of the plot, it loses none of the tension between killer and seekers, and between the leading characters. Van Dyck's narration adds spice to the mystery. M.B.K. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine