The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart

by Nancy Campbell Allen Narrated by Justine Eyre

Overview

A romance develops as a detective partners with a lonely-hearts columnist to solve a murder mystery.

London, 1885. Amelie Hampton is a hopeless romantic, which makes her the perfect columnist to answer lonely heart letters in the Marriage Gazette. When Amelie plays matchmaker with two anonymous lonely hearts, she also decides to secretly observe the couple's blind date. To her surprise, the man who appears for the rendezvous is Harold Radcliffe-a grieving widower and a member of Amelie's book club.

Police detective Michael Baker has been struggling ever since his best friend and brother-in-law died in the line of fire. Because he knows the dangers of his job, he has vowed never to marry and subject a wife and family to the uncertainty of his profession. But when he meets Miss Hampton, he is captured by her innocence, beauty, and quick mind.

When a woman's body is pulled from the river, Michael suspects the woman's husband-Harold Radcliffe-of foul play. Amelie refuses to believe that Harold is capable of such violence but agrees to help, imagining it will be like one of her favorite mystery novels. Her social connections and clever observations prove an asset to the case, and Amelie is determined to prove Mr. Radcliffe's innocence. But the more time Amelie and Michael spend together, the more they trust each other and the more they realize they are a good team-maybe the perfect match.

They also realize that Mr. Radcliffe is hiding more than one secret, and when his attention turns toward Amelie, Michael knows he must put an end to this case before the woman he loves comes to harm.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

07/12/2021

Allen (Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts) pairs a matchmaker and a detective in this charming Victorian romance. Hopeless romantic Amelie Hampton works for London’s Marriage Gazette answering correspondence from the lovelorn. Her latest matchmaking effort sees her pairing Miss Franklin with a man of interest from the Gazette’s personal ads. The two meet at a restaurant and, hoping to ensure that they get along, Amelie spies from outside, happily recognizing the mystery man as Harold Radcliffe, a handsome, recently widowed member of her book club. Also surveilling the couple is Det. Michael Baker, who believes Radcliffe may have murdered his late wife. Michael’s and Amelie’s paths cross and, after Michael tells Amelie what she’s stumbled into, she invites him to her book club to help further his investigation. As Amelie begins to share Michael’s suspicions, she feigns romantic interest in Harold in order to discover his secrets—even if it puts her in danger. Allen expertly combines mystery and romance into a fast-paced tale complete with plenty of surprises and a central relationship founded on mutual admiration and respect. Readers are sure to appreciate the strong, well-shaded heroine and twisty plot. (Sept.)

Foreword Reviews

"Michael and Amelie's slow-burning romances combines well with the fast-paced tale of surprise, death, and heart. The core of the story is their relationship; it builds from a place of admiration and respect, and eschews any forced obstacles to being together. Amelie is a nuanced heroine who is both naïve and fierce as she gathers her knowledge of fictional crimes and joins Michael in his off-duty undercover work. And the endearing secondary cast of friends and coworkers results in humor and warmth; they support Amelie's headstrong nature and Michael's softening heart. Charming...combines a Victorian murder mystery with an endearing romance between two souls."

Booklist

"Allen's chaste tale of Victorian romantic suspense will also appeal to historical mystery readers, and it would be great for mother-and-daughter reads. This has great appeal for teens who like historical fiction laced with mystery and romance."

Historical Novel Review

"A lovely intermingling of two driven, yet proper individuals."

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178751879
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Publication date:	12/09/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged

Videos