Relative Fortunes: A Julia Kydd Novel

Set in 1924, Benn’s stylish debut and series launch introduces bibliophile Julia Kydd, who has returned to New York from London to claim her inheritance, which she will receive on her 25th birthday. With the money, she plans to finance her own small press. Unfortunately, Julia’s imperious half-brother, Philip, has contested their father’s will, a decision that could leave her with only two options: an expedient marriage or a life of near poverty. Meanwhile, the death of a friend’s prominent suffragette sister, Naomi Rankin, draws Julia into the affairs of the wealthy Rankin family, whose members are more concerned with avoiding a scandal than discovering how and why Naomi died. Philip, an amateur sleuth, opines that she committed suicide. Julia disagrees. He proposes a wager: if Julia proves Naomi was murdered, he’ll abandon his objections to her inheritance. As Julia’s investigations reveal much about Naomi (as well as herself), the author effectively shows the casual discrimination against women at the time. Benn is off to a promising start. Agent: Amanda Jain, BookEnds. (Aug.)