Book seven in the delightful Lord Julian Mysteries is A GENTLEMAN UNDER THE MISTLETOE. It is a cozy historical by a favorite author, Grace Burrowes. Set in bucolic Napoleonic England, A GENTLEMAN UNDER THE MISTLETOE is further enriched by the setting of a charming Christmas season in the countryside. The snow and the decorations feel so richly seasonal and historical- it’s delicious!
Burrowes is best known for her gentle historical romances (which I love to snuggle into), but I adore her mystery books even more. In book seven, the mystery is more low stakes. Who is coming up with the same insanely generous gift ideas that Lord Julian is trying to give on the sly, and beating him to the punch to top it off?! The lack of murder or crime in this particular book allows the reader to relax into the tender flow of the storylines.
Lord Julian Caldicott is the third son of the prior Waltham duke, who served as a spy during the Napoleonic War and was captured and tortured 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 a relatable character, and I find him incredibly endearing in his honor and earnestness.
This holiday, Julian’s older brother the Earl is traveling on the continent, and it falls to Julian to act as the head of household. Family and some friends gather from far & wide to celebrate the holidays together. Burrowes always brings us heartwarming settings, and A GENTLEMAN UNDER THE MISTLETOE continues that trend and well as bringing forth this series’ themes of redemption and of relationship repair.
Readers cheering for Lord Julian and his lady-love, Hyperia West will be pleased at the forward progress that their relationship achieves here. There is a gentle thread of romance woven throughout this mystery series, and I adore it! Both Hyperia and Julian are such admirable characters- upstanding and altogether engaging. Hyperia usually helps Julian in his investigations, and here she helps him navigate the challenges to his heart that new familial discoveries bring.
Burrowes’ A GENTLEMAN UNDER THE MISTLETOE blends historical mystery and romance in an inviting holiday tale sure to warm your heart.
Lord Julian Caldicott is standing in for his ducal brother as manager of Yuletide merriment at the family seat. Alas for his lordship, nothing is going as planned. Cranky relatives arrive uninvited, family squabbles ensue, and Julian’s annual case of the blue devils is worsening by the day.
Julian decides to combat the mayhem and melancholia by anonymously spreading good cheer. He arranges a series of discreet gifts–for the village church, for his nephew, for Caldicott Hall’s retired housekeeper, and others–but every time he attempts to play secret Father Christmas, an unknown benefactor upstages him with gifts of equal generosity. Who is Julian’s competitor for top elf honors and why are they determined to make this Julian’s worst Christmas ever? Julian vows to find out!
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