Historical author Grace Burrowes continues to delight with her Napoleonic mystery books, The Lord Julian Mysteries.  A GENTLEMAN OF UNRELIABLE HONOR is book six in this enchanting mystery series.  Burrowes is best known for her gentle historical romances (which I love to snuggle into like a cozy pair of beloved winter slippers), but I adore her mystery books even more.  New readers could dive into A GENTLEMAN OF UNRELIABLE HONOR without reading the prior books, but why deprive yourself of the enjoyment of watching this series unfold like a flower?

Lord Julian Caldicott is the third son of the prior Waltham duke.  He served as a spy during the Napoleonic War and came home greatly changed by the war and especially by his stint as a prisoner of war.  Julian has been discovering that he can use his well-honed spy skills to successfully investigate domestic crimes.  Julian is such a relatable character, and I find him incredibly endearing.

Julian’s mother asks him for his help in locating some old love letters which were stolen at a house party, and which could be used to blackmail her.  Julian discovers others at the party have also had incriminating mementos stolen, and the hunt is on for the criminal.  One of the best parts of Burrowes’ books is the secondary characters.  I love that Julian’s estranged mother plays a large role in this book and that the rift between mother and son is slowly being repaired.  Julian is slowly getting re-incorporated into his family and society in general, especially the ton.  I love the slow arc of repair and redemption that Burrowes is laying out so gracefully. 

I happily wallow, too, in the growing closeness between Lord Julain and his lady-love, Hyperia West.  There is a gentle thread of romance woven throughout this mystery series, and I am here for it!  Both Hyperia and Julian are such fine characters- upstanding, honest, and altogether engaging.  Hyperia helps Julian in his investigations, and it’s lovely to see women presented as being so capable. 

Burrowes continues to be a reliable author for me.  This book is engaging enough to have kept me engrossed during a natural disaster that decimated my city, which is high praise.  A GENTLEMAN OF UNRELIABLE HONOR blends historical mystery with a touch of romance, and the result is a charming series sure to delight.