Miss Dido Kent never expected that her visit to her cousin's villa would result in her investigating a possible murder. Dido had a knack for solving mysteries that baffled most people. So, when a wealthy woman unexpectedly dies leaving her nephew a very wealthy man, rumors of murder begin to circulate throughout the town of Richmond. The rumors are soon the talk of the town thanks to an ill tempered widow named Mrs. Midgely, who has an odd obsession with spreading malicious rumors of Mr. Lansdale's part in his aunt's death.

Dido's usually spot-on instincts tell her that Mr. Lansdale is not guilty. As she struggles to prove his innocence, not only does the evidence against Mr. Lansdale begin to accumulate, but Miss Kent unexpectedly discovers some shocking secrets about some of the people of Richmond.

After Mrs. Lansdale's physician declared the cause of death to be poison, the evidence pointed in one direction - her nephew. Mr. Lansdale stood to inherit a handsome fortune after his aunt's death. Miss Kent's cousin, Flora, who was well acquainted with Mr. Lansdale, is adamant that he is innocent.

Fortunately, for Mr. Lansdale, Miss Kent's sleuthing begins to uncover other possible suspects including the deceased's companion, Miss Neville. After meeting the possible suspect, Miss Kent concludes that the woman is definitely hiding something. When Miss Kent discovers that Miss Neville lied about her whereabouts on the night of Mrs. Lansdale's death, her suspicions against Miss Neville begin to grow.

Miss Neville and Mr. Lansdale are not the only people Miss Kent considers possible suspects. After visiting the scene of the crime, Miss Kent makes some surprising discoveries. Although Mr. Lansdale and Miss Neville claim Mrs. Lansdale did not have any visitors on the night of her death, Miss Kent comes across a card from none other than the gossipy Mrs. Midgely, who claimed to have never met Mrs. Lansdale. Although Miss Kent prides herself on her brilliant sleuthing skills, the Lansdale death leaves Dido questioning her own ability to solve a mystery. The evidence against Mr. Lansdale is substantial, but Dido remains unconvinced of his guilt. Other discoveries haunt Miss Kent including: the death of Mrs. Lansdale's dog on the night of her death and two mysterious elderly gentlemen who Mrs. Lansdale entertained in her parlor, although Mr. Lansdale and Miss Neville insist that Mrs. Lansdale did not receive visitors.

When I read that A GENTLEMAN OF FORTUNE: OR, THE SUSPICIONS OF MISS DIDO KENT was compared to a Miss Marple mystery in a Jane Austen setting, I expected a typical mystery novel with a few predictable twists and turns. As an avid reader of both Austen and Christie novels, I have found that very few authors can properly emulate either of the author's writing. Anna Dean, however, created one of the trickiest and fun mysteries I have read in a long while. Her charming way of recreating the Regency Era will more than please period novel lovers. If you enjoy Jane Austen or Agatha Christie novels, this is the book for you!

Book Summary

The great Mrs Lansdale is no more – and all her neighbours in Richmond are gossiping about her death. As the odious Mrs Midgely is quick to point out, her demise is 'very convenient indeed' for her nephew who has 'lost a remarkably tyrannical relation and gained a very fine inheritance.' Indeed, Mrs Midgely suspects that he has 'taken steps to hurry the poor lady out of this world.'

Flora, Dido's cousin, is anxious to prove young Mr Lansdale innocent, and Dido herself admits that he is 'a great deal too handsome to be hanged.' When the apothecary informs the magistrate that the cause of death was an overdose of laudanum, the young man's situation becomes perilous. But, as Dido sets about discovering the whole truth, the troubling questions multiply:

Why is Mrs Midgely so determined to cause trouble for Mr Lansdale? Why is there sheet music upon the pianoforte, if Mrs Lansdale never allowed the instrument to be played? Why is Mrs Midgely's card in Mrs Lansdale's drawing room if the two ladies were not acquainted? And why is little Miss Prentice borrowing books from the circulating library and tearing them up?

There are secrets hidden beneath the respectable façade of Richmond; secrets which must be uncovered if the truth about Mrs Lansdale's death is to be known. And, to make matters worse, Dido finds herself torn between the demands of justice and affection. Will she lose the regard of the man she loves if she pursues the mystery in spite of his disapproval?

'It is the duty of all rational men and women to ensure that justice is done,' she argues. But doubts will creep in. Perhaps, after all, it is more becoming in a lady to leave such matters to the authorities appointed to deal with them. And can a gentleman continue to esteem a woman who constantly argues with him? What is right? What is proper? And what is to be done when the demands of justice, love and propriety conflict?

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