Daring Duplicity by Edale Lane is a delightful story of a victorian era woman dressing as a man to be a detective.
Stetson is a woman who lives in a world where she can’t be herself and the detective she is so naturally inclined to be. So she has a carefully cultivated facade in the form of detective Xavier Wellington.
Stetson puts on a show of being Xavier’s secretary and interviewing clients before pretending to talk to Xavier in private. The idea being that no one can know the real identity of Xavier Wellington thus ensuring that he can do his job well.
Once a client has been signed on Stetson dresses in a suitable disguise and hits the streets to investigate.
She is an excellent investigator and cracks all the cases but she is lonely. So when she discovers that other sapphic women exist she sets out to find her forever someone. But her work is dangerous and her identity is a secret. Can she solve her hazardous series of cases, maintain her secret identity and expose her heart to the vulnerability of love?
Writing Style
This book is made up of five separate short mysteries investigated by the Victorian era detective Stetson Goody as she pretends to be detective Xavier Wellington. There are some reoccurring characters and the common thread of the detective agency which gives one a sense of the world.
Edale Lane made each section a contained story with its own plot while also creating a bigger plot of Stetson wanting love and eventually finding it. They flow smoothly from one to the next and there was never the jarring feeling that is prevalent in collections of short stories as you transition from one to the next.
The writing is clean and well thought out with enough world building to really immerse you in Victorian England without bogging you down with details.
Narration
The audiobook is wonderfully narrated by Jennifer Lewis and I highly recommend you get this one on audio.
The cast of characters was plentiful and Lewis managed to keep everyone’s voices different enough to identify, she created a series of class and location based accents and kept male and female characters clear.
Her pacing was fast enough to keep me entertained without losing the details of the stories. I really liked this because sometimes narrations, especially when it is not a contemporary setting, can become slowed because of the details and world building.
Pros
I absolutely loved the historical touches and how Lane included some “modern technology” into the story. The moment when Stetson got her new toy was adorable and a highlight of the book for me.
Heads Up
For lovers of romance, this is not going to scratch your romantic itch. It does have some romantic escapades and it even has a breakup. I loved it. It made the world feel real and when Stetson finally does find a romance then it makes is a whole lot sweeter.
Go in expecting a sweet, light book with the bare touches of romance and you will be happy. Go in expecting a romance and you won’t be.
The Conclusion
Lane managed to get a series a of complete narratives to feel like both individual and part of a bigger whole. I tip my hat to that level of masterful execution.
I would call this audiobook mystery light with a romantic sub plot. It’s not going to satisfy folks who want a deep and intriguing mystery investigation, nor is it going to satisfy the die hard romance fans.
What it does so beautifully is give you a relaxing brain break with accessible, interesting and easy to listen to short stories. Each one is interesting and different enough to keep you listening happily. You also get just enough personal details and little touches of history to make the world feel real and accessible while the bigger plot of Stetson finding a forever love is so sweet that it makes you really want that for her.
I loved every second of it and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants light and entertaining that isn’t a traditional romance.
Excerpt from Daring Duplicity by Edale Lane
Twenty-eight-year-old Stetson Goody sat at a walnut office desk sipping tea and reading the morning’s copy of The Times in her office at 193B, Haverstock Hill Street. Across from her a pair of comfortable armchairs sat before a large plate-glass window trimmed with maroon curtains. To her right was the entry and behind her desk chair a door labeled “private.” Her flame-red hair was arranged in a neat, business-like bun, but a short sweep of bangs and two delicate ringlets fell in front of her ears. She wore a conservatively cut earth-tone suit, complete with floor-length skirt, high-collared blouse, and tailored jacket. The building, outwardly as stained with soot as the rest of London, was divided into four offices, each with apartments above, shared between a stockbroker, an insurance agent, a photography shop, and Xavier Wellington’s Private Investigations.
Her mouth curved into a satisfied grin as she read about the apprehension of the diamond thief and the return of the precious gems, when a hard, swift knock rapped at the door. She hastily laid the paper down and jostled on her gold-rimmed spectacles before rising to her full height, which was unusually tall for a woman. “Come in,” she called, and began an unhurried stroll toward the entry.
The door quickly opened, and instead of seeing the usual middle-aged man, her eyes fell upon a beautiful young lady who scurried in and closed the door behind herself. “Do come in,” she offered politely, even though the potential client was already inside. “Do you require the detective’s services, Miss…?”
“Ashton,” she replied in a nervous voice. “Jewel Ashton. And, yes, I would like to hire Mr. Wellington on a matter of the greatest urgency and delicacy.”
And a jewel she was indeed! Stetson’s heart leapt in her throat as she drank in the vision standing before her: ruby lips set on porcelain skin, brilliant emerald eyes, hair of spun gold, and an hour-glass figure poured into a simple cobalt blue polonaise dress. Not wanting to appear completely dumbfounded, Stetson filled the silent void. “Oh? Are you a relation of Lord Cecil Ashton of Parliament?”
“I am his daughter,” she breathed, as if she didn’t want anyone to hear.
“Come, dear, and have a seat,” she invited, motioning to the chair opposite her desk. “I am Miss Goody, Mr. Wellington’s assistant.” Stetson settled behind her desk as Jewel sat across from her. “And how can the investigator be of service to you, Lady Jewel Ashton?”
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Series
Daring Duplicity
Perilous Passages
Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 979-8401818300
Publisher and Audiobook Publisher: Indie Author
Narrator: Jennifer Lewis
Audiobook length: 9 hours 24 Minutes
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Note: I received a free review copy of Daring Duplicity by Edale Lane No money was exchanged for this review. When you use our links to buy we get a small commission which supports the running of this site
