Death and the Courtesan

Pamela Christie

• Publisher: Kensington Books
• Year: 2013
• Print ISBN:
  9780758286406
• eBook ISBN:
  9780758286413
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Crime & Mystery Literature
• Index: Literature

Pamela Christie's sparkling historical mystery goes beyond the modest drawing rooms of Regency London in the company of the city's most esteemed and scandalous courtesan. . .

Since the age of sixteen, Arabella Beaumont has been happily employed as a highly paid woman of pleasure. True, respectable ladies of the ton would never deign to call at Lustings, her delightful home. Then again, Arabella has no desire to make dreary small talk and sip tea when she could be enjoying the company of amusing, intelligent, and extremely generous gentlemen.

But while Arabella's admirers are legion, she also has enemies. A paper knife stolen during one of her salons was discovered near the body of a former rival. Arabella was entertaining her wealthy benefactor on the night of the murder, but the engaged duke can't provide the alibi she desperately needs. It falls to Arabella and her resourceful sister, Belinda, to clear her good--or at least innocent--name. Utilizing all the talents in her arsenal, the irrepressible Miss Beaumont will endeavor to catch the real culprit, before the hangman catches up to her. . .

Praise For Pamela Christie And Death Of A Courtesan

"What a delicious and delightful tale! The Regency world is turned upside down--and much refreshed--by a decidedly unorthodox heroine. Pamela Christie writes with wit and verve, gifting readers with a vision of the period at once marvelously scandalous and oh-so tempting. I adore clever, spunky Arabella and look forward to her future adventures." --Sara Poole, author of The Borgia Mistress

"A clever, funny, engaging read reminiscent of Fidelis Morgan's Unnatural Fire. Pamela Christie deftly combines the conventions of the Regency-era novel with the fast pace and careful attention to characterization found in the best modern historical mysteries." --Kate Emerson, author of The King's Damsel

"With cleverness and humor, Pamela Christie brings to life a colorful world that would've been at the same time familiar and scandalous to Jane Austen and her readers." --Anna Loan-Wilsey, author of A Lack of Temperance

"A smart, witty and thoroughly entertaining read! It reminds me of some of my favorite series on Masterpiece Theater." --Diane Haeger, author of I, Jane

"A delectable treat for the historical mystery lover to savor. You will be left eager for Arabella's next adventure!" --Teresa Grant, author of The Paris Affair

Table of contents

• PRAISE FOR PAMELA CHRISTIE AND DEATH OF A COURTESAN
• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• Acknowledgments
• Chapter 1 - ON THE COMPARATIVE MERITS OF BUILDING MATERIALS
• Chapter 2 - SUSPECTED!
• Chapter 3 - THE OMNISCIENCE OF SERVANTS
• Chapter 4 - A TEMPLE IN THE TROPICS
• Chapter 5 - MADE FOR A CHINESE SULTAN
• Chapter 6 - “SHE GIVE IT T’ME AFORE SHE DIED.”
• Chapter 7 - MUSTERD AND SOSAGES
• Chapter 8 - A CASE OF NERVES
• Chapter 9 - THE DEVIL COMES TO LUSTINGS
• Chapter 10 - A CLEAN BREAST
• Chapter 11 - EVENING FESTIVITIES
• Chapter 12 - COOLNESS UNDER FIRE
• Chapter 13 - READER, I F****D HIM
• Chapter 14 - HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE FAT GIT
• Chapter 15 - HOBJECTS LOST AN’ FOUND
• Chapter 16 - A MAN OF HIS TIME
• Chapter 17 - WHAT A SWEET PLACE YOU HAVE
• Chapter 18 - THE ELEPHANT IS A NOISY CREATURE
• Chapter 19 - ON THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF THINGS
• Chapter 20 - ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS. WELL . . .
• Teaser chapter
• Copyright Page
• Notes