Murder at Queens Landing is the 4th and final installment in the Wrexford and Sloan Mystery series by Andrea Penrose, published by Kensington Books. The story is set in the early nineteenth century London and we get to follow Alexander Wrexford and Charlotte Sloan as they investigate the murder of an East India Company clerk who has gotten too close to a secret web of financial crime within the company and gets murdered to cover it up. As Charlotte secretly makes satirical drawings exposing hypocrisy and injustice among the rich and powerful, her life is in danger if the culprits find out who she is.

Main character Earl Alexander Wrexford seems to have a volatile temper. I was pleased to follow his development from a self-sufficient brusque person not caring if he puts himself in danger, into a man with a heart for family and friends.

Supporting character earl’s daughter and satirical cartoonist Charlotte Sloan, is a widow who has chosen to distance herself from Society to make a living fighting against hypocrisy and injustice by publishing satirical drawings. I found her an impressive and interesting character of her time, working to carve out a new life, while still living by all the rules. She is my favorite of this story.

This is the first book I have read by Andrea Penrose. It included plenty of hints to events in other books in the series, which made me want to add them to my TBR. I found this story read perfectly as a standalone mystery where nothing was as it seemed. I loved the Dickensian vibe I got from the parts about street urchins and flower girls working to survive on the streets of London. I particularly enjoyed how Charlotte had a heart for street children and took care of two orphan brothers.
The plot included descriptions of mathematical and technical inventions I have not read about before; which fascinated me.
The writing felt light and easy with very entertaining dialogue. The parts where Charlotte and Alexander interacted were my particular favorites. Their relationship developed while they tried to be professional and became confused feelings had grown when they were not looking.

I felt a surprised and impressed by how Wrexford and Sloan found who was “at the top of the food chain” of this complicated scheme and managed to beat the criminals at their own game.
If you enjoy a great historical murder mystery with conspiracy and a twist of technical inventions thrown in, this would be just the thing for you. Similar authors to explore might be Anna Lee Huber or Clara McKenna.

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the eARC which gave me the opportunity to share my honest review. All opinions in this review are completely my own.

Conclusion: This is the exiting and satisfying conclusion to the series where Wrexford and Sloan get to solve a murder meant to cover up financial crime within the East India Company where powerful and dangerous people are willing to do whatever it takes to build fortunes – including murder.
Rating: 4 stars / 5
Main reasons: engaging and entertaining plot, satisfying conclusion to series, enjoyable dialogue.