Infernally Loose Ladder, Disagreeable Murder, and a Most Impertinent Ghost
(2026)(The third book in the Regency: Ghosts & Gentlemen League series)
A novel by Marisa Paxon
I am the narrator of this book. I carried the whole wretched affair on my back, kept everyone in order, watched a genealogist fall off a ladder and improve only slightly by becoming a ghost, and now they have decided I must sell it as well. Fine. Here is your Regency manor-house murder with an impertinent ghost.
Mr Hugh Debenham has inherited an ancient estate, a thinning purse, and a family habit of calling concealment duty. Miss Jane Ireton has been hired to catalogue the papers, which is awkward for everyone because she notices what has been omitted with the serene efficiency of a woman born to ruin liars. Then a disagreeable genealogist dies mid-investigation, rises immediately to remain disagreeable in private, and leaves behind a missing schedule, a carefully tampered ladder, an erased woman in the records, and a house full of people who would very much prefer the word accident. I had to watch Hugh blunder toward honesty, Jane refuse to be managed, and the dead man continue criticising the filing, which was not restful for anyone.
If Jane fails, she loses her position, the truth is buried again, and Hugh’s already precarious estate remains propped up by a handsome family lie. If Hugh fails, he keeps his dignity, which is plainly the worst possible outcome.
Perfect for readers who like sharp, clue-rich historical mysteries, country-house secrets, dry British wit, competent heroines, emotionally cornered gentlemen, and a ghost who is less ethereal comfort than posthumous administrative pressure. This is a non-gory, clue-rich mystery with a satisfying logical solution, paired with a closed-door, very low heat slow-burn romance and a proper HEA. Also, since people become tiresome about such things, it is a complete stand-alone and a perfectly good entry into the Ghosts & Gentlemen League world.
So do open the book. I have already done the difficult part, and it would be nice if someone benefited.
Mr Hugh Debenham has inherited an ancient estate, a thinning purse, and a family habit of calling concealment duty. Miss Jane Ireton has been hired to catalogue the papers, which is awkward for everyone because she notices what has been omitted with the serene efficiency of a woman born to ruin liars. Then a disagreeable genealogist dies mid-investigation, rises immediately to remain disagreeable in private, and leaves behind a missing schedule, a carefully tampered ladder, an erased woman in the records, and a house full of people who would very much prefer the word accident. I had to watch Hugh blunder toward honesty, Jane refuse to be managed, and the dead man continue criticising the filing, which was not restful for anyone.
If Jane fails, she loses her position, the truth is buried again, and Hugh’s already precarious estate remains propped up by a handsome family lie. If Hugh fails, he keeps his dignity, which is plainly the worst possible outcome.
Perfect for readers who like sharp, clue-rich historical mysteries, country-house secrets, dry British wit, competent heroines, emotionally cornered gentlemen, and a ghost who is less ethereal comfort than posthumous administrative pressure. This is a non-gory, clue-rich mystery with a satisfying logical solution, paired with a closed-door, very low heat slow-burn romance and a proper HEA. Also, since people become tiresome about such things, it is a complete stand-alone and a perfectly good entry into the Ghosts & Gentlemen League world.
So do open the book. I have already done the difficult part, and it would be nice if someone benefited.
Used availability for Marisa Paxon's Infernally Loose Ladder, Disagreeable Murder, and a Most Impertinent Ghost