Oh my! Beware the mask of disguise!

A Novel Disguise ( Lady Librarian Mystery #1) by Samantha Larsen        

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When Miss Tiffany Woodall’s sanctimonious, penny pinching, selfish brother died overnight her second thought was what would happen to her. His position as librarian to the Duke of Beaumont gave them a house to live in and money. Where would she go? Then she hit on her desperate ingenious plan. Disguise herself as her brother and continue as normal. As Uriah’s sister she’d been the one to shop, and engage village folk. Uriah had been too high in the instep for that. What could go wrong?

Everything! Moving Uriah’s body was just Tiffany’s first difficulty. From then on, being caught naked bathing in the lake, to the hilarious time of both Tiffany and the dead Uriah (yes, at the same time) being asked to dinner with the Duke and Duchess, and her once upon a time friend, another Duchess. Despite these setbacks Tiffany manages to win through, only to have the sudden death  of one of the staff in a suspicious manner disturbs things. As the bodies begin to pile up, it’s obvious that there’s a murderer on the loose! Tiffany is once again liable to exposure. Especially given the attention of the intelligent, dreamy Constable Lathrop.

Lots of high jinx had this  novel galloping to an end that didn’t quite resolve some questions I’d had, but definitely answered others. I’m unsure if this is black comedy, or a satire of the times. Interestingly the laws and practices of the time are documented, heightening my knowledge of why Tiffany would consider the actions she took. 

Well worth the read.

A Crooked Lane ARC via NetGalley.                                              

Many thanks to the author and publisher.