A Novel Disguise

Lady Librarian Mysteries, Book 1

By: Samantha Larsen

Narrated by: Marni Penning

1784 London. Miss Tiffany Woodall didn’t murder her half-brother, but she did bury him in the back garden so that she could keep her cottage. Now, the confirmed spinster has to pretend to be Uriah and fulfill his duties as the Duke of Beaufort’s librarian while searching Astwell Palace for Uriah’s missing diamond pin, the only thing of value they own. Her ruse is almost up when she is discovered by Mr. Samir Lathrop, the local bookseller, who tries to save her from drowning while she's actually just washing up in a lake after burying her brother.

Her plan is going by the book, until the rector proposes marriage and she starts to develop feelings for Mr. Lathrop. But when her childhood friend, Tess, comes to visit, Tiffany quickly realizes her secret isn’t the only one hidden within these walls. The body of a servant is found, along with a collection of stolen items, and someone else grows mysteriously ill. Can Tiffany solve these mysteries without her own disguise being discovered? If not, she’ll lose her cottage and possibly her life.

©2023 Samantha Larsen (P)2023 Dreamscape Media

Critic reviews

"Marni Penning delightfully narrates various characters of different social classes and ages [...] The first book in debuter Larsen’s 'Lady Librarian Mysteries' series blends cozy mystery with clean romance."—Library Journal

"From dual identities to poisonings, from secret lovers to shifting loyalties, this historical mystery engages the listener as Penning’s slightly growly, emotion-laden voice captures the intrigue and underlying humor woven throughout."—Audiofile Magazine

Too Repetitive

I could just about believe the ruse until Tiffany had to be both her brother and herself at an evening dinner party. There was absolutely no way, with all the clothing involved, that she could have done that. It didn't add to the story, either, except to show the maid acknowledging that she knew the truth. I appreciate that the author was trying to convey an era that completely disregarded women, but the story moved too slowly much of the time, repeating daily events. I'll admit I skipped much of it. (I also had difficulty with her name. A dour father like she supposedly had would never have allowed a daughter to be named Tiffany. She would have had a good Biblical name like Ruth or Esther.) There was quite a bit to like about the story, especially historical details. I may try a sequel. I felt the reader did a good job with the voices.

Cozy mystery

It took me a few chapters to get into this, probably because I’d just finished re-listening to Anne Perry’s Monk series. I’m glad I stuck with it because it was a decent mystery with likable characters.

Great story

A little slow in the beginning but still enough to keep interested then it picks up wonderfully once all the scene is set. This was a fun read with likeable characters you wanted to root for. Love the original ideas and good research for the time. I can't wait to read the next one!

The start of a binge-worthy series!

I first read (with my ears) the third book in the A Lady Librarian Mystery series, and I simply had to know more! So off I went to Audible, and HOORAY! I saw that the audiobook of A NOVEL DISGUISE, the first in the series, was free with my Prime subscription, so I jumped right in, listened straight through, and LOVED it.

Author Samantha Larson gives readers richly written, interesting characters (to love and loathe) and lots of historical factoids that remind us how things have changed for the better and others remain sadly the same, even these many years later. I especially enjoy how there are strong women who are breaking societal norms that existed then and persist today.

Perhaps I loved A NOVEL DISGUISE a little more because I already knew how things were going to go? That definitely took away some of my concerns at who would live, die, or have come-uppances. So spoiler-y to already know many details, so I recommend starting with this first installment, and then binge-read straight through the 2nd & 3rd since book 4 in the series will publish soon, and I'll be reviewing it on a book blog tour.

Meanwhile, I need to get the second book listened to, stat!

A great historical mystery with a great heroine

I was skeptical about the mystery but this book delivered.

I loved the historical tidbits throughout in a time period I haven’t read much about.

Great mystery, fun predicaments, and a bit of romance too!

Will definitely be reading more by this author!