Liked Atlas' innate goodness, like Lilliana's ability to think through problems and just her overall resilience, the mystery was well done. ( )

1814 and Atlas Catesby and his friend the earl of Charlton are on their way back from Bath to London when stopping at an Inn they witness a man selling off his wife. Ever the gentleman Catesby buys the wife to save her from worse degradation.
Unfortunately for the wife, her husband is found dead. And Endicott, the Bow Street Runner employed to find the murderer suspect her and Catesby. To clear their names he is determined to find the guilty party.
A well-written, romance mystery with characters who seem to have some progressive views for the time period though this didn't distract from the story. I look forward to see how the characters develop in the next book.
A NetGalley Book ( )

With a cast of eclectic characters, an intriguing murder and a wonderful setting, Murder in Mayfair, the first release in D.M. Quincy's Atlas Catesby series, is a marvelous mystery set in 1814 England.

Atlas Catesby's zest for adventure usually keeps him far from home, but he has been sidelined for months while waiting for an injury to heal. When he and his good friend, the Earl of Charlton Gabriel Young stop for a meal, Atlas chivalrously steps in to rescue Lilliana Warwick when her odious husband Godfrey sells her at a public auction. He then takes her to his sister Thea Palmer's home and they begin to brainstorm how to permanently reunite Lilliana with her two young sons, Peter and Robin. Godfrey continues to be a thorn in her side as he attempts to force her to return to their country home. After Atlas discovers Godfrey's corpse, he becomes Bow Street runner Ambrose Endicott's prime suspect when the death is ruled a homicide. Uncertain whether Endicott is pursuing the case with enough vigor, Catesby turns amateur sleuth in order to unmask the killer.

Atlas is quite intelligent with a penchant for solving puzzles. He is growing increasingly restless as his recovery takes much longer than he originally anticipated. He is rather forward thinking for the time period as he eschews many of society's rules and champions women's rights. Atlas is unable to leave behind his guilt from a long ago tragedy and he cannot resist stepping in when he witnesses a damsel in distress.

Lilliana is a bit mysterious as she reveals as little as possible about herself to her new acquaintances. She is fiercely devoted to her sons and she will do anything to maintain contact with them. Despite her untenable marriage, Lilliana is a strong, resilient woman who refuses to let fear prevent her confronting her vile husband when she needs to.

During his investigation into Godfrey's murder, Atlas discovers there are many people who have good reason to kill the despicable man. Topping the list is the mysterious man who was recently involved in a physical altercation with Godrey not long before the murder. But with only a vague description of a man wearing distinctive ring, Atlas's efforts to locate him are quickly stalled. Another clue leads Atlas to a local tailor with a secret to keep but would he kill Godfrey in order to silence him? Atlas also discovers that Godfrey recently had a falling out with his only friend but is this a motive for murder?

Murder in Mayfair is an enthralling mystery with a fascinating storyline and an interesting cast of characters. The slow build up to Godfrey's murder provides D.M. Quincy with ample opportunity to develop the various characters and the storyline. Atlas's investigation reveals a vast pool of suspects who have viable motives for murder, but which one of them is the killer? The novel hurtles to an absolutely stunning conclusion as Atlas finally uncovers the jaw-dropping truth about Godfrey's murderer. A wonderful beginning to the Atlas Catesby series that is sure to delight fans of historical mysteries. ( )

Atlas could have a spirited discussion with Sherlock Holmes about detection. Atlas is more emotional than Holmes,though, especially due to affection for Lilliana Warwick. She starts out like Artemis -aloof and courageous- but softens to him throughout the book. Their romance faces obstacles- the murder only being one. They face an uncertain future with good allies. The intellectual but kind Thea and the showoffish but loyal Earl Charlton are good people to have in a clinch. Complicating matters are a Bow Street detective who is as clever as Atlas. The mystery wasn’t hard to solve, but it was fun watching Atlas figure it out. This book shows the charm and danger of Recency English society. The propriety can be charming. The dangers are many. Women are practically property, homosexuality was a crime, and tradesmen could be ruined for seeking to learn ‘above themselves’. There are modern references which at times dispel the Recency mood- such as a magistrate saying ‘shagging’- but Atlas and company’s appeal overcomes that. Murder in Mayfair offers a cozy mystery, Regency England, and some romance.

Note: Bow Street Runner Endicott reminds me of Detective Columbo. Both ask seemingly pointless questions that annoy, but are in fact clever. ( )

A good mystery with a few twists. Characters did not act or speak in a way to match the supposed time period. "Kick the bucket", "shagging" etc. This was a bit of a distraction throughout. ( )