Murder at Half Moon Gate is the second book in the Wrexford & Sloane series by author Andrea Penrose. The setting is Regency London. Lord Wrexford is a wealthy aristocrat who disdains much of London society. He is a scientist and enjoys working with other scientists trying to learn new things. “Wrex” as he’s known is out one night with his close friend Sheffield when they discover a body in an alleyway. He’s determined to let the police handle it this time, but the widow of the man comes to visit him. Wrex learns that the victim, Ashton, was working on an improvement to the steam engine that could revolutionize manufacturing, but his plans seem to be missing. Isobel Ashton asks Wrex for help trying to keep her husband’s legacy intact as well as find out where the plans are before someone uses them to snatch the patent away from her.

Wrex’s head might have been turned by the very beautiful Isobel, but another woman is tugging at his heart as well. In the first book, Wrex and Charlotte Sloane worked together to solve a murder he was suspected of committing. Their relationship was strictly platonic. However, Wrex has found himself lately trying to find reasons to visit the widow Charlotte, who makes a living as one of London’s premier satirical artists under a pseudonym. Charlotte is in the process of moving to a nicer home and bringing the two young orphans she’s been caring for with her. When Wrex asks her to help with Ashton’s murder, she only hesitates a bit. By coincidence, her latest series of prints have been about “Man vs. Machine” and the consequences of a mechanized world.

Penrose has woven a great mystery here. There are so many possibilities as to what could be going on, between the “Workers of Zion” who are opposed to replacing workers with machines, to a possible love triangle, investors looking to get more than their share of an invention and more. I guessed one thing, which ended up being totally wrong. Yet, in the end, what actually was going on made sense with the clues that were given.

Wrex and Charlotte’s relationship moves to another phase as well. When Wrex learns that Charlotte is relying on Jeremy, a close friend who happens to be a wealthy nobleman to help her move, he experiences a bit of jealousy. It doesn’t help that he learned that Jeremy is one of Ashton’s investors and a possible suspect. Charlotte doesn’t see herself as desirable to Wrex, but they begin to draw closer as they are honest with each other.

The relationship with the two orphan boys grows here as well. Raven and Hawk, as they are known, seem to be more comfortable in the old home than the new one Charlotte is moving to. It’s Wrex who cuts to the chase and provides a solution for their education as well as other ways to “fit in.” They really don’t, and along with Charlotte, they maintain their network of contacts through the other children living on the streets of London. At least they have a safe place at night, now, and are getting an education. There was one part that nearly had me screaming about showing it to the boys because they could figure out the answer.

There were a lot of good historical points in the book as well. In the afterword, Penrose discusses how much she embellished on history, but also where it was more realistic. I learned about where the term “luddite” came from here. I have used it in the past, but never realized that it was coined during this time with workers who were fighting automation.

I came to this series in the middle with an advanced reader copy of the sixth book in the series and fell in love with it. Yes, it’s easier to start from the beginning and get to know the characters that way, but this book can be picked up and read without having read the first one. There would also be a little more suspense about the main characters and their relationship if you don’t start the series by reading a later book first. I think the series so far has been worth reading in order. I loved Murder at Half Moon Gate as much as the other two I’ve read and can’t wait to see where the adventures of Wrexford and Sloane will take me next!

Previous book in the series:

Next book in the series