Books › Weighed in the Balance
Weighed in the Balance
596 pages
A traditional historical mystery steeped in aristocratic scandal, courtroom tension, and the dark secrets of famous lovers.
What it feels like
Set against the formal backdrop of historical London, this traditional mystery immerses the reader in a world of aristocratic scandal and high-stakes legal drama. The pacing is steady and methodical, reflecting the careful work of barristers and private investigators as they untangle a web of shocking accusations. The mood is tense and intrigue-laden, contrasting the glittering illusion of a famous royal romance with the shadowy reality of murder and betrayal. The prose carries a serious, measured tone that perfectly suits the historical setting and the gravity of the slander charges at play. It is a deeply atmospheric read that will delight fans of classic detective stories who crave complex investigations, courtroom notoriety, and the unmasking of hidden truths.
- Mood
- intrigue-laden
- aristocratic
- shadowy
- tense
- Tone
- formal
- dramatic
- suspenseful
- serious
- Pace
- steady
- Themes
- scandal and reputation · the illusion of romance · hidden truths · loyalty and betrayal
- The writing
- Traditional and measured, reflecting the historical London setting and the formal world of barristers and royalty.
- The arc
- Moves from aristocratic scandal and shocking accusations to a tense, high-stakes search for the truth.
- Who it's for
- Fans of traditional historical mysteries who enjoy courtroom drama, aristocratic scandals, and methodical investigations.
Content notes
- murder
- false accusations
About the book
"When Countess Zorah Rostova sweeps into the office of London barrister Sir Oliver Rathbone and asks him to defend her against a serious charge of slander, he is astonished to find himself accepting. For, from what he learns of the case, a defense of the countess can only earn him notoriety.".
"Twenty years earlier, Countess Zorah's countryman Prince Friedrich had abdicated his throne to marry a woman who was unacceptable as queen. Since then the prince and his beloved Princess Gisela have lived in romantic exile as the world's most famous lovers. Now the prince is dead, and Countess Zorah claims that Princess Gisela has murdered him. Unfortunately she cannot produce a shred of evidence to support her shocking assertion. Nor can that formidable private investigator William Monk.
However, Monk and his friend, nurse Hester Latterly, do establish that the prince was murdered. And as events unfold, the likeliest suspect seems to be Countess Zorah herself."--BOOK JACKET.
Description from Open Library.
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