I received a copy of this book from Netgalley/the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

A Lady in the Smoke is a Victorian mystery written by Karen Odden. As the story begins, Lady Elizabeth Fraser is traveling to her family’s estate with her mother when their train crashes. Lady Elizabeth and her mother receive minor injuries, and spend some time recuperating at a local hotel. She becomes acquainted with Paul Wilcox, a surgeon who specializes in railway accidents.

After she returns home, Lady Elizabeth cannot stop thinking of the possibility that the accident was planned. The search for the truth, and her family’s involvement with what has occurred become an all-consuming obsession for the young aristocrat. Mr. Wilcox is put on trial and held responsible for one of the passengers who died after the crash, and Lady Elizabeth fears that this is a punitive measure on the part of those who do not want the truth about the railway to be revealed. Despite their difference in social class, Lady Elizabeth finds herself falling in love with the young surgeon.

I would recommend A Lady in the Smoke. This book will appeal to fans of the other Victorian mystery series. It is clear that Odden is a researcher; there is an astounding amount of historical detail in the book. I love the Victorian era, and I found this book to be an absolute delight. There is something for everyone: mystery, intrigue, melodrama, and even hints of romance. I am looking forward to reading Odden’s next mystery!