Thwarting an assassination wasn’t on the menu.

Elinor’s holiday is ruined when a poisoner targets a royal guest. What’s even more irritating? The duke thinks he can solve the case before she can.

In the southern town of Vouvant, Elinor’s goal was to eat rich food at the Winter Revels, but an attempt on the king’s life implicates her favorite chef. Between saving a young society lady and solving the problem of a widower who grieves too much, she has her hands full.

Elinor and her friend Charlotte are off to the countryside, invited by the King, to attend the annual Winter Revels. This year the Revel features a food competition and one of the contestants is Elinor’s favorite chef. On the train trip Elinor and Charlotte help a young lady being pursued by a less-than-desirable suitor and once at the host’s home Elinor finds herself helping a widow with the ghost of her dead husband. As if this is not enough to keep her busy the celebration is complicated by an attempt to assassinate the King. Elinor and the Duke discretely investigate as the guests are kept in the dark about the attempted murder and virtually everyone is a suspect.

These novellas are short, quick, and very enjoyable reads. Elinor is a strong, independent woman in a world where women have few rights. The Duke has secrets which we are slowly learning bit by bit and the attraction between Elinor and the Duke is growing slowly even as they both fight against it.  I am thoroughly enjoying this series and look forward to book three which, luckily, is already loaded on my tablet ready for me to dive right in. Recommended ~~ Stephanie L Bannon

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