Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Murder on the Serpentine Bridge by Andrea Penrose
Narrator: James Cameron Stewart
Series: Wrexford & Sloane #6
Published by Kensington Books, Tantor Audio on September 27, 2022
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Pages: 304
Length: 11 hours, 59 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Beyond the glittering ballrooms and salons of Regency London there are mysteries to untangle and murders to solve—and the newlywed duo of Lady Charlotte and the Earl of Wrexford once again find themselves matching wits with a cunning enemy . . .
Charlotte, now the Countess of Wrexford, would like nothing more than a summer of peace and quiet with her new husband and their unconventional family and friends. Still, some social obligations must be honored, especially with the grand Peace Celebrations unfolding throughout London to honor victory over Napoleon.
But when Wrexford and their two young wards, Raven and Hawk, discover a body floating in Hyde Park’s famous lake, that newfound peace looks to be at risk. The late Jeremiah Willis was the engineering genius behind a new design for a top-secret weapon, and the prototype is missing from the Royal Armory’s laboratory. Wrexford is tasked with retrieving it before it falls into the wrong hands. But there are unsettling complications to the case—including a family connection.
Soon, old secrets are tangling with new betrayals, and as Charlotte and Wrexford spin through a web of international intrigue and sumptuous parties, they must race against time to save their loved ones from harm—and keep the weapon from igniting a new war .
I love this Wrexford & Sloane series so much. The main characters are building a found family with courage, compassion, and cleverness. I am tickled by how clever it is. They support and encourage each other’s strengths and protect each other’s weaknesses.  There is plenty of great science, mathematics and art to fill their imaginations.
Since this is the sixth book, some spoilers are inevitable. Rex and Charlotte are now married, raising the weasels who they have adopted. They go to a family event and meet an orphaned child, Peregrine living with his aunt and uncle. Raven and Hawk quickly befriend him and they invite him to go back to London with them.
Rex and the boys had stumbled onto a dead man right before they left and now Rex is asked to investigate since the man was an inventor working on a government project. It turns out he was also Peregrine’s uncle. The whole team / family soon is investigating what really happened and where his invention is.
There is also a conventions of nations with a large number of foreign dignitaries in town. Our team discovers that there is to be an auction for the plans and weapon prototype. With access to the highest, and lowest, rungs of society they investigate. Some suspects are eliminated and others are added.
There is much more to the story which I enjoyed immensely but will leave for you to discover. Peregrine is adopted by the weasels, becoming Falcon. He shows some of his uncle’s talent at mechanical invention. I was so thrilled to see them become connected. They work and learn together well.
I am ecstatic to have the series continue after the marriage of Charlotte and Rex. They continue to expand their circle of learning, sciences, arts and those they love and protect.
Narration:
I don’t believe I had listened to this narrator before the series but I greatly enjoyed his performance. With many foreign characters, the accents and tones sound great, although I am not knowledgeable enough to know if they are authentic. The character voices both male and female, old and young, are distinct and appropriate.  I listened well at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to the clip: HERE
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 22-COYER
I love the kids’ names! Maybe there’s an explanation in an earlier book why they are named after birds?
yes, I’d start at the beginning. I love the science, the art and how very clever they all are but with compassion and integrity.
This series sounds so good. I have flagged it for consideration some day. I just have so many others to read/listen to! Thanks for the review.
I like it even more than Jennifer Ashley one about Kat the cook, and I like that one a lot.
I just grabbed up all her earlier books on sale with a gift card so I’m jazzed to fall in love with a new historical mystery series and characters. 🙂
It’s one of my very favorites. I hope you love it as much as I do. It’s not as gritty as CS Harris but I love the science focus and the characters.
I love the cover on this one and the story interesting.
It’s really a favorite series for me.
I can’t wait to read this one! I love this series, and these characters SO much. 😀
Yes! It’s really a favorite for me.
Sounds interesting, I’d have to start from the beginning.
yes, with any series I always try to start at the beginning.
That cover is very cool. I like the sound of this book and this series.
It’s a great historical mystery with a solid romance undercurrent. But I love the focus on science and inventions and math.
I have this series on my TBR though I haven’t started it yet. I’m so glad to see you enjoyed the audio. I’m hoping to pick the first one up in that format soon. This one sounds fantastic!
It’s one of my absolute favorites Katharine. I hope you love it too.
Sounds like an original and interesting premise. I’ll have to look into the series. Wonderful review, Anne!
Thank you Rachel. I really love the science / math/arts and romance bits in a strong historical mystery. But the characters are the true heart of the story.
This series DOES sound like it would be right up my alley….
I love it so much! The science/math, and the great characters with a mystery and just a little romance.
This sounds excellent. I love a good found family story.
I love everything about this series but I would start at the beginning and not miss a thing. It’ all fun and excellent reading.