The Debutante's Code

Author: Erica Vetsch
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Thorndike & Swan #1

Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series

Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn't spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love.But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They've been living double lives as government spies--and they're only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family's legacy.

Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spies. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors--not to mention the nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner, who suspects her of a daring theft.

Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents' last mission?

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Reviewer: Nikita Wells

When I first started reading this book, I began to wonder if I'd have to slog through to finish. Thankfully, after the first few chapters, it was nothing like the typical Regency books I've read! This one is packed with adventure, intrigue, and daring characters that the "proper" people of the ton love to hate and consider to be almost guilty of treason. (If I lived during that era, they would believe me to be an absolute misfit and not their idea of a proper feather-brained "lady.")

Bow Street officer Daniel Swann was an excellent detective, although young and not as experienced. His buddy and superior officer, Ed, made the perfect partner to work with. 

I loved the character of Lady Juliette as well. She was kind, considerate, thoughtful, and selfless when others around her were haughty and self-centered. Even when things happened that were disheartening and odd, she kept her head and thought things through instead of jumping to conclusions or getting hysterical.

Her dear Uncle Bertie was also a fun and feisty character with lots of spirit and spunk who didn't care what society thought of him.

I love Mrs. Vetsch's writing style, and I fell in love with her books after reading "The Cactus Creek Challenge." I hope she writes a sequel to that one because it was hilarious!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Interviews and Reviews for a complimentary copy of this book. A positive review was not required, and the thoughts above are my own. 

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

Oh, such fun! Erica Vetsch always pens delightful Regency romance with a generous dash of intrigue and mystery, and she’s kick-started this new series splendidly. 

Daniel and Juliette make excellent partners in solving crime between his law enforcement training through Bow Street and her knack at code-breaking. Of course, there are plenty of plot twists to keep the readers on our toes and lovely Regency banter with slow-burning romance to keep our fans fluttering. It looks like the series will continue to follow Daniel and Juliette as they embark on crime-solving adventures (and hopefully romantic ones, too!). The integration of characters from the Serendipity & Secrets series was unexpected and enjoyable.

If you enjoy Regency romance, you will absolutely love this book. 

I received a review copy courtesy of Revell via Interviews & Reviews. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Anna Bottoms

A family secret, a dashing detective, and debutante turned spy. I can’t wait for more Thorndike and Swann regency mysteries. Erica Vetsch brings it all to the table in her newest series.

The settings and characters are well thought out and perfectly written to draw you into the era, making you feel like a part of their story. The mystery is intriguing, with twists and turns that kept me up at night.
 
I loved this book!

A review copy was provided courtesy of Kregel Publishers through Interviews & Reviews.

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