All’s Fair in Love and Treachery is the second book featuring Lady Petra, but I didn’t read the first. I do think I missed out a little by not reading the first. The author did a good job of catching the reader up on the relationships, but a lot of it had to do with wrapping up events from the first book. Petra has discovered her childhood best friend and current lover, Duncan, may have murdered her fiancé’s three years ago. Duncan, of course, leaves before Petra can confront him and she thinks the worst of him Why do women in cozy mysteries always do that? Assume that the man who has always been nothing but honest and caring is actually lying to her and making a fool out of her? In the meantime, Queen Charlotte has asked Petra to look into the death of the matron at the Asylum for Female Orphans. The matron was probably murdered and there may be a connection with a group of radicals who want to tear down the monarchy.

The mystery moves along at a good pace. It’s a bit convoluted but the characters make up for it, and I enjoyed the setting. The regency era is not one I visit often. Petra and her friends are lively and fun and determined. Her romance with Duncan is sweet and I like that he realizes she is not one to be left behind when there’s an adventure.

There are several twists and turns but in the end things are wrapped up nicely. I listened to the audio and the narrator did a good job with the pacing, accents, and distinguishing the characters. I just wish she hadn’t made Petra seem so whiny.