Miss Morton and the Spirits of the Underworld

This lively historical cozy from Lloyd (a sequel to 2022’s Miss Morton and the English House Party Murder) centers on Lady Caroline Morton, whose reduced financial and social circumstances in 1838 London have led her to become a paid companion to the irrepressible widow Mrs. Frogerton. When Mrs. Frogerton’s interest in spiritualism brings the pair to the home of medium Madam Lavinia, Caroline is skeptical of the woman’s powers. At the end of the evening, however, Lavinia passes Caroline a note containing intimate details about her childhood. A short time later, Caroline and her friend, Dr. Harris, return to Madam Lavinia’s for a reading and find her murdered. Because the last people to see her alive were members of high society, the police are eager to pin the crime on someone of a lower social order, and they promptly arrest Dr. Harris. Caroline, following Mrs. Frogerton’s lead, investigates in an attempt to clear Dr. Harris’s name. The ladies’ efforts are nicely balanced by their amusing asides with Dorothy Frogerton, the widow’s daughter, who’s determined to snag a titled husband. Numerous plausible suspects and perceptive observations on the period’s social mores make this an entertaining entry in the series. More Morton mysteries would be welcome. Agent: Deirdre Knight, Knight Agency. (Sept.)