Murder at the Merton Library -- Andrea Penrose

<b>A perplexing murder in a renowned Oxford University library and a suspicious fire at a famous inventor's London laboratory set Wrexford and Lady Charlotte on two separate investigations in this masterfully plotted, atmospheric Regency-set mystery from <i>USA Today </i>bestselling author Andrea Penrose.</b> <p/><b><i>"[Penrose] mixes well thought out mysteries, early forensic science, great details of the era and a slow burning attraction creating a compulsive read." --The New York Public Library</i></b> <p/>Responding to an urgent plea from a troubled family friend, the Earl of Wrexford journeys to Oxford only to find the reclusive university librarian has been murdered and a rare manuscript has gone missing. The only clue is that someone overheard an argument in which Wrexford's name was mentioned. <p/>At the same time, Charlotte--working under her pen name, A. J. Quill--must determine whether a laboratory fire was arson and if it's connected to the race between competing consortiums to build a new type of ship--one that can cross the ocean powered by steam rather than sails--with the potential to revolutionize military power and world commerce. That the race involves new innovations in finance and entrepreneurship only adds to the high stakes--especially as their good friend Kit Sheffield may be an investor in one of the competitors. <p/>As they delve deeper into the baffling clues, Wrexford and Charlotte begin to realize that things are not what they seem. An evil cons