TASHA ALEXANDER

THE COUNTERFEIT HEIRESS

Paris the city of romance where Lady Emily struggles to unmask a murderer amid a case of assumed identities and shadowy figures. After an odd encounter at a grand masquerade ball, Lady Emily becomes embroiled in the murder investigation of one of the guests, a sometime actress trying to pass herself off as the mysterious heiress and world traveller Estella Lamar. Each small discovery, however, leads to more questions. Was the intended victim Miss Lamar or the imposter? And who would want either of them dead? As Emily and her husband try to make sense of all this, a larger puzzle begins to emerge: No one has actually seen Estella Lamar in years, since her only contact has been through letters and the occasional blurry news photograph. Is she even alive? Emilys investigation of this double mystery takes her from London to Paris, where, along with their friend Cecile, she must scour the darkest corners of the city in search of the truth.

Emily Ashton, joven viuda de un vizconde adinerado, de ideas activamente contrarias a la cultura chauvinista del último tercio del siglo diecinueve de la Inglaterra Victoriana, es una detective aficionada que investiga el misterioso robo de unas joyas que pertenecieron a María Antonieta. Un ladrón de guante blanco y una serie de asesinatos ocultan la lucha por el trono de Francia.

Tis the season for murder, mayhem, and mistletoe from New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander.In this new short story from Tasha Alexander, Lady Emily - called "Victorian Londons most colourful and delightfully eccentric sleuth"* - and her dashing husband Colin are spending a few days in London, doing some last-minute Christmas shopping and making the most of the time alone, when they find themselves in the middle of an unexpected mystery. The couple is just getting cozy, not at all bothered by the storm outside. But when Lady Emily looks out the window to see a woman standing in the blowing snow, without a coat, an eerie feeling falls over her, and she rushes out to help, only to find that the woman has disappeared. Colin is convinced her eyes were playing tricks on her, but Emily is haunted by the womans image. Clearly, there is something spooky afoot, and she is determined to get to the bottom of it. . . .Complete with the vivid descriptions and period detail Lady Emily fans have come to expect from this series, That Silent Night is a delicious morsel of a mystery, with an irresistible ghost story at its heart.*Jacqueline Winspear, New York Times bestselling author of the Maisie Dobbs series

And only to DeceiveFor Emily, accepting the proposal of Philip, Viscount Ashton, was an easy way to escape her stifling home life so when her new husband dies on safari, she feels little grief for she barely knew the man. Now, two years on, when she finds his journals she discovers a very different man to the one she thought she had married - one who was a gentleman scholar who was very much in love with his new wife. But she also uncovers a dark, dangerous secret involving stolen artifacts from the Greco-Roman galleries... and as she sets out to solve the crime she discovers even more surprises about her dead husband... A Poisoned Season Londons social season is in full swing, and the aristocracy cant stop whispering about a certain gentleman who claims to be the direct descendant of Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette. Drawing rooms, boudoirs and ballrooms are also abuzz with the latest news of an audacious cat burglar who has been making off with precious items that once belonged to the ill-fated queen. But light gossip turns serious when the owner of one of the pilfered treasures is murdered... A Fatal Waltz A deadly dance between two implacable enemies... At her friend Ivys behest, Lady Emily Ashton reluctantly agrees to attend a house party at the country estate of Lord Fortescue, a man she finds as personally odious as he is politically powerful. Also among the guests is Kristiana von Lange, an Austrian countess who had once been linked romantically with Emilys fiance, Colin Hargreaves, and she makes no secret of that fact, tormenting Emily for her own amusement. Matters soon turn deadly serious when Lord Fortescue is found murdered and his protege, Robert Brandon - Ivys husband - is arrested for the crime... Tears of Pearl Set amid the beauty and decadence of the Ottoman Empire, Lady Emilys latest adventure is full of intrigue, treachery, and romance.Lady Emily and Colin Hargreaves set out toward Turkey for an exotic honeymoon. But on their first night in the city, a harem girl is found murdered, strangled in the courtyard of the sultans lavish Yildiz Palace. Sir Richard St. Clare, an Englishman who works at the embassy in Constantinople, recognizes the girl as his own daughter who was kidnapped twenty years earlier. Emily and Colin promise the heartbroken father that theyll find her killer, but the investigation soon turns deadly...

From New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander comes the third Lady Emily mystery.A deadly dance between two implacable enemies . . .At her friend Ivys behest, Lady Emily Ashton reluctantly agrees to attend a house party at the country estate of Lord Fortescue, a man she finds as personally odious as he is politically powerful. But on arrival she finds him to be the least of her problems. Among the guests is Kristiana von Lange, an Austrian countess who had once been linked romantically with Emilys fiance, Colin Hargreaves, and she makes no secret of that fact, tormenting Emily for her own amusement. Annoying for Emily - but then matters turn deadly serious when Lord Fortescue is found murdered and his protege, Robert Brandon - Ivys husband - is arrested for the crime. Emilys efforts to clear her friends name take her to Vienna, a place of glittering balls, sordid back streets, chic cafes . . . and home to her nemesis, the Countess von Lange.Praise for Tasha AlexanderA thoroughly enjoyable adventure with both historical texture and emotional depth Anne PerryCaptivating characters are superbly brought to life in this riveting historical . . . [a] cleverly plotted and suspenseful mysteryFreshFictionA captivating addition to the adventures of an irresistible Victorian iconoclastBooklistImmediately engrossing and thoroughly entertaining . . . Alexander writes with a fullness and richness that leaves the reader extremely satisfiedCrimespreeSometimes touching, sometimes funny and always absorbing, this Victorian-era mystery hits all the right notesRomantic TimesEnchanting... Alexander keeps readers guessing until the very endPublishers WeeklyTasha Alexander is one to watch - and read... despite her cliffhanger climaxes and witty repartee, theres a depth of sensitivity that sets her apartThe Huffington Post

A dance with death...After the final curtain of Swan Lake, an animated crowd exits the Mariinsky theatre brimming with excitement. But outside the scene is somber. A ballerinas body lies face down in the snow, blood splattered like rose petals over the costume of the Swan Queen. The crowd is silenced by a single cry - "Nemetseva is dead!" Among the theatergoers is Lady Emily, accompanying her dashing husband Colin in Russia on assignment from the Crown. But it soon becomes clear that Colin isnt the only one with work to do. When the dead ballerinas aristocratic lover comes begging for justice, Emily must apply her own set of skills to discover the rising stars murderer. Her investigation takes her on a dance across the stage of Tsarist Russia, from the opulence of the Winter Palace, to the modest flats of ex-ballerinas and the locked attics of political radicals. A mysterious dancer in white follows closely behind, making waves through St. Petersburg with her surprise performances and trail of red scarves. Is it the sweet Katenka, Nemetsevas childhood friend and favorite rival? The ghost of the murdered etoile herself? Or, something even more sinister?

From New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander comes a stunning novel of historical suspense set in Victorian England, meticulously researched and with a twisty plot that involves stolen antiquities, betrayal, and murderLady Emilys first mystery . . .For Emily, accepting the proposal of Philip, the Viscount Ashton, was just an easy way to escape her stifling home life and overbearing mother. So when her new husband dies on safari soon after the wedding, she feels little grief. After all, she barely knew the man. Now, nearly two years later, she discovers that Philip was a far different man from the one she had married so cavalierly. His journals reveal him to have been a gentleman scholar and antiquities collector who, to her surprise, was deeply in love with his wife. Emily becomes fascinated with this new image of her dead husband and immerses herself in his intellectual pursuits, studying Greek and spending time in the quiet corridors of the British Museum.But there, amid priceless ancient statues, she uncovers a dark, dangerous secret involving stolen artifacts from the Greco-Roman galleries - and as she sets out to solve the crime she discovers even more surprises about the husband she never knew . . .Praise for Tasha AlexanderThis engaging, witty mix of Victorian cozy and suspense thriller draws its dramatic spark from the endearingly headstrong heroines growth in life and love. A memorable debutBooklistEnchanting... Alexander keeps readers guessing until the very endPublishers WeeklyTasha Alexander is one to watch - and read... despite her cliffhanger climaxes and witty repartee, theres a depth of sensitivity that sets her apartThe Huffington PostFans of Anne Perry and Elizabeth Peters will welcome this debut novelThe Denver Post

Set in the lush countryside of Normandy, France, the fifth Lady Emily mystery is filled with intrigue, romance, mysterious deaths, and madness . . .Returning from their honeymoon and near brush with death in Constantinople, Lady Emily and her husband Colin Hargreaves are relaxing at his mothers beautiful estate in Normandy. But the calm she so desperately seeks is shattered when, out riding her horse, she comes upon the body of a young woman who has been brutally murdered; and whose wounds are identical to those inflicted on the victims of Jack the Ripper. Pursuing a trail of clues and victims to the beautiful medieval city of Rouen, Emily begins to fear for her own sanity. She hears the cries of a young girl she cannot find and discovers blue ribbons left in the childs wake. And as Emily is forced to match wits with a brilliant and manipulative killer, only her courage and instincts can prevent her from becoming his next victim . . .Praise for Tasha AlexanderHistorical mystery at its bestFresh FictionImmediately engrossing and thoroughly entertainingCrimespreeSometimes touching, sometimes funny and always absorbing, this Victorian-era mystery hits all the right notesRomantic TimesEnchanting... Alexander keeps readers guessing until the very endPublishers WeeklyTasha Alexander is one to watch - and read... despite her cliffhanger climaxes and witty repartee, theres a depth of sensitivity that sets her apartThe Huffington PostAlexanders love for the Victorian era elevates a captivating mystery into an unforgettable tale. Dangerous to Know is the perfect novel to curl up with and chase away the worldexaminer.comReaders who enjoy historical mysteries with strong female characters will find much to enjoy hereBooklistLady Emily Hargreaves is our favorite Victorian detective. If you love high society crimes then dont miss this series by Tasha Alexander, one of todays best mystery writersBookManBookWomanInfused with wit and charm, with just the right amounts of danger, romance and detection blended inDenver Post

Set amid the beauty and decadence of the Ottoman Empire, Lady Emilys next adventure is full of intrigue, treachery, and romance.Looking forward to the joys of connubial bliss, newlyweds Lady Emily and Colin Hargreaves, diplomats of the British Empire, set out toward Turkey for an exotic honeymoon. But on their first night in the city, a harem girl is found murdered, strangled in the courtyard of the sultans lavish palace. Sir Richard St. Clare, an Englishman who works at the embassy in Constantinople, recognizes the girl as his own daughter who was kidnapped twenty years earlier. Emily and Colin promise the heartbroken father that theyll find her killer, but as the investigation gains speed, they find that appearances can be all too deceiving.As a woman, Emily is given access to the forbidden world of the harem and quickly discovers that its mysterious, sheltered walls offer no protection from a ruthless murderer. As the number of victims grows, Emily must rely on her own sharp wit if she is to stop a killer bent on exacting vengeance - no matter how many innocent lives he leaves in his wake.Praise for Tasha AlexanderThe fourth book of Alexanders Victorian-era series has a lush setting and beautiful details. . . . The romance and lovely writing sweep the readers along. [Emilys] voice and the accurate historical details will keep the reader enthralledRomantic TimesThe strong female lead and historically accurate details will please readers of Anne Perry, Laurie R. King, and Deanna Raybourn seeking a new fan-favorite authorLibrary Journal"In this book, despite murder and mayhem and treason (oh my!) its all gorgeous gowns, rippling water, veils of silk and veils of hair . . . Whatever Emily decides to do with herself I am only too happy to come along for the rideFiction NationAlexander doesnt miss a beat. Tightly woven plots, flowing prose and three-dimensional characters make Tears of Pearl a must-read. Readers wont be able to stop themselves from racing through the pages as they search alongside Lady Emily for the killerexaminer.comInfused with wit and charm, with just the right amounts of danger, romance and detection blended inDenver Post

In this gripping new novel in the New York Times bestselling series, Lady Emily travels to Greece where a ghost from her past returns to haunt her amid the ruins. On a quest to distract her lifelong friend Jeremy from his recent heartbreak, Lady Emily organises a holiday in Greece. As a lover of all things Greek, she quickly finds herself occupied with tours of ancient ruins, lively debates with Margaret, a devoted Latinist, and slightly more scandalous endeavors with her dashing husband, Colin Hargreaves. But the pleasantries are brought to an abrupt halt when a man long-believed dead greets the party at their island villa. Lord Philip Ashton, Colins childhood best friend and Emilys first husband, has returned. But can Philip really be who he claims, even if he has the scars and stories to prove it? Where has he been for all this time? And will his undying love for Emily drive him to claim whats his? Intrigue mounts as Philip reveals that he has been plagued for the past few years by an illegal antiques trader who believes he is in possession of a piece of Achilles helmet, a priceless relic that was stolen from him moments after he unearthed it on an archaeological dig. Emily must employ all of her cunning and expertise to thwart thieves who threaten not only her own safety, but that of those precious artifacts she holds so dear. A trail of overheard conversations, murderous assailants and dead bodies leads her on a chase to uncover more than one buried truth.

From New York Times best-selling author Tasha Alexander comes Star of the East, a Lady Emily holiday story that will enchant readers and keep them guessing until the very last page... Emily and Colin Hargreaves make it a rule to spend as little time as possible with her parents in Kent, but are unable to refuse Lady Catherine Bromleys invitation to join them for a pre-Christmas party that includes the family of Ala Kapur Singh, a powerful Punjabi maharaja who has come to England after receiving the Order of the Star of India. Lady Bromley, quite taken with the exotic beauty and spectacular jewels of the maharani and her daughter, Sunita, throws herself with abandon into planning a spectacular feast. But when a priceless diamond maang tika and a simple gold bangle disappear from Sunitas room, a diplomatic incident seems imminent, particularly when the maang tika turns up in Emilys possession. Emily may have what appears to be the more valuable of the two pieces, but the maang tika cannot be worn without the bangle, upon which is engraved the words necessary to ward off a curse placed on the set 500 years ago by a princess forced to forsake the man she loved. Sunita must wear the maang tika at her wedding but cannot do so without the bangle. Can Emily convince the maharaja that she is not a thief? And, more important, can she and Colin find the bangle?A holiday treat for Lady Emily fansLibrary Journal

Anglemore Park is the ancestral home of Lady Emily Hargreaves husband Colin. But the stately calm of country life is destroyed when their neighbor, the Marquess of Montagu, bursts through the French doors from the garden and falls down dead in front of the shocked gathering. But who has a motive for murdering the young aristocrat? The lovely cousin who was threatened by his engagement, the Oxford friend he falsely accused of cheating, the scheming vicars daughter he shamelessly seduced or the relative no one knew existed who appears to claim the Montagu title? Who is the mysterious woman seen walking with him moments before he was brutally attacked? The trail takes readers into the gilded world of a British manor house and below stairs to the servants who know all the secrets. One familys hidden past and a forbidden passion are the clues to a puzzle only Lady Emily can solve.

In this newest entry in the New York Times bestselling series by Tasha Alexander, Lady Emily Hargreaves travels to the south of France where an apparent suicide may be something far more sinister.Emily and husband Colin have come to the French Riviera for what should be a joyous occasion - the engagement party of her lifelong friend Jeremy, Duke of Bainbridge, and Amity Wells, an American heiress. But the merrymaking is cut short with the shocking death of one of the party in an apparent suicide. Not convinced by the coroners verdict, Emily must employ all of her investigative skills to discover the truth and avert another tragedy.

From New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander, a spectacular novel of historical suspense featuring the strong-minded and spirited Lady Emily AshtonAt her friend Ivys behest, Lady Emily Ashton reluctantly agrees to attend a party at the sprawling English country estate of a man she finds odious. But the despised Lord Fortescue is not to be her greatest problem. Kristiana von Lange, an Austrian countess once linked romantically with Emilys fiance, the debonair Colin Hargreaves, is a guest also. And a tedious evening turns deadly when their host is found murdered, and his protege, Robert BrandonIvys husbandis arrested for the crime. Determined to right a terrible wrong, Emily embarks on a quest that will lead her from Londons glittering ballrooms to Viennas sordid backstreetsand into a game of wits with a notorious anarchist. But putting Colin in deadly peril may be the price for exonerating Robertforcing the intrepid Emily to bargain with her nemesis, the Countess von Lange, for the life of her fiance.

From New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander comes the second Lady Emily mystery set in Victorian England, meticulously researched and with a twisty plot that involves an audacious cat burglar and a brewing scandal for Lady Emily . . . Londons social season is in full swing, and the aristocracy cant stop whispering about a certain gentleman who claims to be the direct descendant of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Drawing rooms, boudoirs and ballrooms are also abuzz with the latest news of an audacious cat burglar who has been making off with precious items that once belonged to the ill-fated queen. But light gossip turns serious when the owner of one of the pilfered treasures is murdered and the thief develops a twisted obsession with Lady Emily Ashton. It takes all of Lady Emilys wit and perseverance to unmask her stalker and ferret out the murderer, all while faced with a brewing scandal that threatens both her reputation and her romance with the dashing Colin Hargreaves.Praise for Tasha AlexanderHistorical mystery at its best. Ms. Alexander has delivered an amazing sequel to her debut novelFresh FictionImmediately engrossing and thoroughly entertaining... Alexander writes with a fullness and richness that leaves the reader extremely satisfiedCrimespreeSometimes touching, sometimes funny and always absorbing, this Victorian-era mystery hits all the right notesRomantic TimesThe vivacious and well-read Emily is back in rare form... Alexander has vividly captured Victorian mores, and the society intrigues are fascinatingThe TennesseanEnchanting... Alexander keeps readers guessing until the very endPublishers WeeklyTasha Alexander is one to watch - and read... despite her cliffhanger climaxes and witty repartee, theres a depth of sensitivity that sets her apartThe Huffington Post

Secrets prove deadly in the sixth Lady Emily mystery from New York Times bestselling author Tasha AlexanderNewly returned to her Mayfair home, Lady Emily Hargreaves is looking forward to enjoying the delights of the Season - waltzing with her dashing husband, reading The Aeneid, and joining the Womens Liberal Federation in the early stages of its campaign to win votes for women. But an audacious vandal is disturbing the peace in the capital city, splashing red paint on the neat edifices of the homes of London s elite. This act, impossible to hide, presages the revelation of scandalous secrets, driving the victims into disgrace, despair, and even death.Soon, all of London Society is living in fear of being the next target and its down to Lady Emily and her husband Colin to uncover the identity and reveal the motives of the twisted mind behind all this before another innocent life is lost.Praise for Tasha AlexanderEnchanting... Alexander keeps readers guessing to the very endPublishers WeeklyTasha Alexander has created Victorian Londons most colorful and delightfully eccentric sleuth . . . fans of the well-plotted historical mystery will be charmed by Lady Emily! Jacqueline Winspear, New York Times bestselling author of the Maisie Dobbs SeriesA Crimson Warning is the sixth book in the Lady Emily Mystery series and hands down the best thus farCriminalelement.comAnother masterpiece from Tasha AlexanderPaperback DollsDeliciously page-turning funNashville Lifestyles MagazineWith Emily embodying the feminist ideals and sleuthing instincts of Amelia Peabody, this historical mystery should appeal to fans of Elizabeth PetersBooklistIf you like a little mystery mixed with your historical fiction, Tasha Alexander will not disappointBookreporter

Lady Emily must stop a serial killer whose sights are set on the new king . . .Lying on her deathbed, Queen Victoria asks to speak privately with trusted royal agent Colin Hargreaves, slipping him a letter with her last command: Une sanz pluis. Sapere aude.One and no more. Dare to know.The year is 1901 and the death of Britains longest-reigning monarch has sent all the Empire into mourning. But for Lady Emily and her dashing husband Colin, the grieving is cut short as another royal death takes centre stage. A body has been found in the Tower of London, posed to look like the murdered medieval king Henry VI. And soon after, a second corpse is discovered in Londons exclusive Berkeley Square, the mutilated remains staged to evoke the violent demise of Edward II. It becomes evident that the individual behind the crimes plans to kill again and again. The quest to find the murderer takes Emily deep into the capitals underbelly. But clues leading to the killer are elusive, and even more puzzling are the anonymous letters Colin has been receiving since Victorias death. Could the killer be targeting her successor, Edward VII?Praise for Tasha Alexander:Tasha Alexander has created Victorian Londons most colourful sleuth Jacqueline WinspearTasha Alexander is one to watch - and read . . . she knows how to construct a compelling plot . . . theres depth and sensitivity which sets her apartHuffington Post

The past does not give its secrets up easily . . .Years ago, Emilys childhood nemesis, Emma Callum, scandalised polite society when she eloped with an Italian count. Now her father-in-law lies murdered, and her husband has fled, making him the prime suspect. Alone in her empty palazzo, Emma realises theres no one she can turn to for help but Emily, who leaves at once for Venice, with her husband.When a fifteenth-century ring is found in the hand of the slain man, the mysteries of past and present become entwined, and in order to find the murderer, Emily must first unravel the secret of a centuries-old love affair.Her investigations take her through the canals of the ancient city, from opulent palazzi to licentious bordellos, but the past does not give up its secrets easily . . . especially when these revelations might threaten the interests of some very powerful people, and Emily finds herself stalked by an ominous masked figure, determined to keep her from solving the case at any cost.Praise for Tasha AlexanderFun to read, fast paced, and delightfully suspenseful . . . the perfect entertainment for Elizabeth Peters fansBooklistThe story glides along as smoothly as a gondola . . . Lady Emily travels wellKirkus ReviewsAn exceptionally good bet for readers who appreciate historical mysteries and the combination of past and present voicesLibrary JournalEnchanting... Alexander keeps readers guessing to the very endPublishers WeeklyWith an appealing flair for historical detail and compassion for her characters, the author adds another well-crafted title to her popular seriesHistorical Novel SocietyTasha Alexander does a fantastic job here with the crumbling palazzos, dusty old books, and gondolas gliding along the canals... I love that I was able to fall into the novel and get lost in the mystery, the romance, and the city of Venice . . . Obviously, I cannot wait for Emilys next adventureBookreporterAnother completely enjoyable entry in what has become one of my favorite historical mystery seriesAunt Agathas

Stolen jewels, secret identities, and death abound in this sparkling tale of suspense set in Victorian England, from New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander.Londons social season is in full swing, and Victorian aristocracy cant stop whispering about a certain gentleman who claims to be the direct descendant of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. But hes not the only topic of wagging tongues. Drawing rooms, boudoirs, and ballrooms are abuzz with the latest news of an audacious cat burglar who has been systematically stealing valuable items that once belonged to the ill-fated queen. Light gossip turns serious when the owner of one of the pilfered treasures is found murdered, and the mysterious thief develops a twisted obsession with Lady Emily Ashton. It will take all of Lady Emilys wit and perseverance to unmask her stalker and ferret out the murderer, while faced with a brewing scandal that threatens both her reputation and her romance with her late husbands best friend, the dashing Colin Hargreaves.