Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
After over a decade away, widowed mother of two Minnie Harper has left sunny Greece and returned to her native England at the turn of the 20th century—just as a cloud of suspicion falls over her younger sister in this cozy historical mystery for fans of Jessica Fellowes, Tasha Alexander, Deanna Raybourn, Rhys Bowen, and the PBS series The Durrells in Corfu.
The world is changing at the dawn of the 20th century, but respectable English families still dread a public scandal. So Minnie agrees to accompany her reckless sister, Delia, for a night on the town with her Bohemian friends. The evening involves a raucous house party, a visit to a fortune-teller, and an encounter with a flirtatious baron, but none of that unsettles Minnie more than running into Stephen Dorian, her former employer in Corfu, who stirs in her a mix of resentment and attraction.
Soon after, Delia discovers the body of her rumored beau in his own home, and Minnie insists on playing by the rules and informing the police. After all, fleeing the scene could suggest Delia is guilty of more than an improper late-night rendezvous . . .
When the sisters return to the townhouse, their parents, dreading the threat of gossip, insist that Minnie help clear Delia’s name. Her discreet investigation will take her back into Delia’s decadent circle and have her crossing paths again with the baron—a collector of antiques—and the infuriating Stephen Dorian. But her new social life is soon overshadowed by dangerous intrigue that leads her to question even her own past . . .
My Review
I absolutely ADORED A Murder in Marylebone. Cozy historical mystery with a slow burn romance? Immediate yes from me. Emily Sullivan has such a gorgeous, immersive writing style, and this book completely pulled me into foggy, gaslit London from the very first page. The atmosphere is rich and cozy but still layered with tension, which is exactly what I want from this kind of story.
Minnie continues to be such a standout main character—capable, witty, and grounded, even while juggling grief, family expectations, and a murder investigation. And the slow burn between her and Stephen Dorian??? I am unwell. The tension, the history, the reluctant proximity… it’s all working for me in the best way. I also really enjoyed the mystery itself—I thought I had it figured out at one point, and I absolutely did not, which is always a win.
That said, I did miss some elements from the first book. I loved the Corfu setting and thought it brought something really unique to the series, so shifting back to London felt a little less distinctive. I also would have loved more time with Cleo, and I think the thread involving Minnie’s late husband could have been stretched out a bit more instead of being wrapped up so quickly. But overall, I flew through this and had such a fun time with it—I’m already impatiently waiting for the next book.
THE GOOD:
- Minnie Harper is such a strong, lovable main character—capable, clever, and easy to root for.
- The writing is immersive and atmospheric without feeling heavy.
- The mystery kept me guessing and genuinely surprised me.
- The slow burn romance is DELICIOUS. The tension and chemistry are top tier.
- The cast of side characters adds depth without feeling overwhelming.
- The balance of cozy vibes and real stakes works really well.
THE NOT-AS-GOOD:
- I really missed the Corfu setting from the first book—it felt more unique than London.
- Cleo is mostly absent, and I would have loved more time with her.
- The storyline involving Minnie’s late husband felt like it wrapped up a bit too quickly.
THE NEUTRAL:
- This works as a standalone, but I do think reading the first book adds more depth to Minnie and Stephen’s relationship.
- The pacing of the romance is very slow burn—if you want quick payoff, this might not hit the same.
OVERALL RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Murder in Marylebone is cozy, atmospheric, and completely addictive, with a mystery that keeps you guessing and a romance that will have you kicking your feet.
PERFECT FOR:
- Readers who love cozy historical mysteries with strong female leads
- Fans of slow burn romance with tension and longing
- Readers who enjoy atmospheric, character-driven stories
- Anyone who wants a fun, immersive mystery with a romantic edge
