Dear friend, the Duchess of Hillmort has invited you to the Annual Spring Ball! The itinerary of the dances is attached and if you don’t want to miss the lord or lady whose attention you desire, better go talk to them and get your dance card signed. During the dinner, you might hear some interesting conversations… You might have to Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord.
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord
By Celeste Connally | Goodreads
Bridgerton meets Agatha Christie in Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, a dazzling first entry in a terrific new Regency-era mystery series with a feminist spin.
When Lady Petra Forsyth’s fiancé and soulmate dies just weeks ahead of their wedding, she makes the shocking proclamation—in front of London’s loosest lips—that she will never remarry. A woman of independent means, Petra sees no reason to cede her wealth and freedom to any man now that the love of her life has passed, nor does she intend to become confined to her country home. Instead, she uses her title to gain access to elite spaces and enjoy the best of society without expectations.
But when ballroom gossip suggests that a longtime friend has died of “melancholia” while in the care of a questionable physician, Petra vows to use her status to dig deeper—uncovering a private asylum where men pay to have their wives and daughters locked away, or worse. Just as Lady Petra has reason to believe her friend is not dead, but a prisoner, her own headstrong actions and thirst for independence are used to put her own freedom in jeopardy.
Content notes include confinement, mental illness, misogyny, torture.
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord – Review
Act Like a Lady, Think Like A Lord presents the posh and elite society of England, with people enjoying the glamor and thoroughfare of large public balls, interest in one’s neighbours and wider acquaintances. They were supported by an army of butlers, servants, maids and cooks who made everything run as planned. And then, there are the ruffians on the streets, the kids who do odd jobs to survive. I loved how all the classes of society were portrayed well in this book, making the feel for regency spot on!
This novel diverges from the traditional regency narrative I knew from Georgette Heyer. It follows a resolute female lead who staunchly rejects remarriage and fearlessly delves into an investigation when her friend disappears.
In Heyer’s narratives, I encountered a spectrum of female characters, some hesitant about marriage, others eagerly anticipating love, and a few uncertain about deep emotional connections. However, public declarations against marriage were rare, and even the most independent women tended to adhere to societal norms. I didn’t think of their spirited adventures as dangerous. Though my memories of these books have faded over the years, I cherish them for what they were in the moments I delved into their stories, often with my grandma as the buddy reader.
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord presents the side of society I knew would have existed underneath but wasn’t always expressed, or stuck with me from those tales. That is why I could not put this book down. It had the comforts of a world I adored with the toppings of something powerful, a character who thought about herself and fiercely found a way through everything she faced.
At the same time, the mystery-suspense aspect of the story is executed really well. The pace of the story is generally good and the reveals in the book make sense. Is it really possible that men are sending their wives off to mental institutions and faking their deaths in order to live a carefree life? There is humour in extreme situations and Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord balances the mystery with the unbelievable through an engaging, light-hearted plot.
Act Like a Lady, Think Like A Lord is a feminist mystery in the regency era. Petra is well written and has sharp wits, both verbal and mental. She is fun to read. I enjoyed her thought processes and unapologetic authenticity. She is a fierce friend who treats people fairly and wants to use her privilege for a good cause. She is loved and there are people looking out for her too. I enjoyed all the women’s friendships in this book. They come from every walk of life and even if the underlying relationship is that of employer-and-employee, they know each other to be kindred spirits.
There is also a very fun puppy and a very rambunctious young boy in this story. This reminded me of one of my favourite characters from Friday’s Child by Georgette Heyer, Jason.
While the female characters are multifaceted, most of the male characters in the book felt one dimensional, often emanating a haughty, ‘know-it-all’ vibe. I thought there was hope with Duncan but his development felt short to me. I felt like I was set up to hate them all and I could not find solace in the attempt at redemption.
If you are interested in a regency mystery novel, give this one a read! Add it to your Goodreads shelf. I am excited to see what’s next for Petra.
Many thanks to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.
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