April 1, 2019
Set in 1905 in Hampshire, England, McKenna’s delightful debut and series launch introduces feisty American heiress and horse breeder Stella Kendrick and Viscount Lyndy Lyndhurst, to whom Stella’s father hopes to marry her off. Stella is the last to know about her father’s scheme, and she’s furious when she realizes he tricked her into going to England. When Stella and Lyndy go looking for the Reverend Bullmore, who’s to marry them, they discover his dead body in the library of Morrington Hall, the Lyndhurst family estate. This breaks the ice between the two, who decide to investigate the murder together. Stella’s longing for Kentucky diminishes as she grows fond of England, and she gradually falls in love with Lyndy, who’s already smitten with her. After her stallion, Cicero, shipped over from the U.S. as a bargaining chip to seal the marriage deal, wins the Epsom Derby, its sire, Orson, is stolen. Eccentric, humorous characters add to the intrigue of catching the murderer and rescuing Orson from his captors. Fans of historical cozies will be enchanted. Agent: John Talbot, Talbot Fortune Agency.