A historical mystery set in early twentieth-century New England from the acclaimed author of the Peter Shandy series.Upon graduating from an academy for respectable young ladies, Lavinia Tabard heads to the New England countryside and her rich cousin Zilpha's summer cottage with the low expectations of a charity case. Lavinia intends to endure Zilpha's saccharine sweetness and her "companion" Tetsy's bullying ways only until she can plan an escape that doesn't involve marriage. A welcome distraction comes when, as she works on a grave rubbing at the local cemetery, Lavinia notices something strange about the dates on the stone. Her questions lead to the doorsteps of several interesting neighbors, including a self-made young architect with a temper as fiery as his red hair. Hayward Clinton and his partner have an office on Zilpha's property, an awkward situation that won't change until the mysterious disappearance of the business's original owner is solved. It's a case too curious for Lavinia to resist—but someone will stop at nothing to ensure that she does. King Devil is an entertaining tale of suspense from the acclaimed author of the Peter Shandy Mysteries, as well as the Boston-set Sarah Kelling and Max Bittersohn series.

From "an accomplished veteran" of crime fiction, a Victorian murder mystery featuring a female sleuth and her detective husband (Kirkus Reviews).When Mr. Thomas Tapley is found bludgeoned to death in his sitting room, his neighbor, Inspector Benjamin Ross of Scotland Yard, is immediately summoned.Little is known about the elusive gentleman until Mr. Jonathan Tapley, QC, hears of the news, and the truth about his cousin's tragic past slowly begins to emerge. Meanwhile, Ben's wife, Lizzie, is convinced she saw someone following Thomas Tapley on the day he died, and she discovers that he received a mysterious visitor a few days before his death.As the list of suspects begins to mount, Ben and Lizzie must unearth who would benefit most from Tapley's unfortunate demise.