How to Fake It in Society

How to Fake It in Society by K.J. Charles, 320 pages

The Comte de Valois de La Motte, son of the woman who purportedly stole an infamous necklace from Marie Antoinette, has run out of funds. But he does have a painting that may draw a high price from fans of the late French queen, and who better to buy it than Titus Pilcrow, a paint-maker who has recently found himself unexpectedly married and then widowed, the beneficiary of an elderly woman's need to marry and keep her noxious nephew from inheriting. Titus immediately takes to the Comte (Nico, as his friends call him), and asks him to help steer Titus through London's high society. Despite Nico's nefarious plans, he agrees and finds himself unwilling to con the man that he finds increasingly appealing. But as debts rise and unscrupulous loan sharks come calling, Nico must make some move — but will it destroy his burgeoning relationship with Titus?

This was a very engaging story, and I particularly loved all the details about color creation, artistic techniques and forgeries, and fashion. However, between those and the long con that was going on throughout the book, the romance got a bit lost in the shuffle. Still, a fun trip into a historical romantic tale.

This book will be published April 28, 2026.

The In Crowd

The In Crowd by Charlotte Vassell, 424 pages

DI Caius Beauchamp was just trying to enjoy a bad play after his date stood him up when the next thing he knows, he's sitting next to a dead guy covered in vomit. As he looks into who this guy was and what he was even doing at this horrible drunken production of The Importance of Being Earnest, Caius learns that the dead man was in London looking into a cold case, the disappearance of a teen girl from a remote boarding school. Soon, Caius has taken up the banner and is simultaneously investigating this 15-year-old case as he also looks into the death of a woman pulled out of the Thames.

I feel like that was a horrible description of a book that ties together both of these cases, as well as the snooty upper crust of British society (that bit hinges on a surprisingly likeable milliner) in a compelling way. The twists were good and Vassell hit the sweet spot of letting the reader figure it out just barely before the characters did. This is the second in a series, and stood well on its own, even though I haven't read the first one yet. But I definitely will!

The Heiress Hunt

The Heiress Hunt by Joanna Shupe, 384 pages

When Harrison Archer's family tells him he must marry to secure the family fortune, he's reluctant to do so...until he learns that his lifelong friend, Maddie Webster, is still unmarried three years after her debut. But she's about to become engaged to a duke. Harrison comes up with a plot to ask Maddie for her assistance finding a bride, with the true goal being her hand in marriage. While Maddie's happy to see her old friend and help him with his quest (or what she thinks is his quest), she's surprised by the new feelings she has for him, after not seeing him for three years.

This is a classic friends-to-lovers story, and it's definitely a steamy one. I liked Maddie's directness, as well as her non-traditional penchant for competitive tennis (scandalous for a society lady to sweat like that in public!). The one thing that bugged me was the conflict between them — if they've been friends for so long and Maddie's so direct in her nature, couldn't they just talk this out? But then we wouldn't have the book... oh well. It was fun!

The Miser of Mayfair

The Miser of Mayfair by Marion Chesney (M.C. Beaton), 167 pages

When Roderick Sinclair's wealthy older brother dies and the will is read, Sinclair is dismayed to learn that he's been left only the custody of Fiona, his brother's teenage ward. With only Fiona's good looks and only a bit of money to his name, Sinclair decides to take Fiona to London for the season, in the hopes of marrying her off to a wealthy aristocrat. But how to explain their outdated clothes and residence in a supposedly cursed rental home? Lovely Fiona, who is much smarter than she leads on, lets it slip that her "father" is a wretched miser, who wants to hide his wealth to avoid suitors who are only interested in the Sinclair money.

Again, Chesney/Beaton does a lovely job skewering the London society, while creating a playful and light tale. So much fun!

Opium & Absinthe

Opium & Absinthe by Lydia Kang, 368 pages

It's 1899, and Bram Stoker's Dracula is sweeping the nation. So when socialite Tillie Pembroke's older sister Lucy is found dead, bloodless and with two holes on her neck, Tillie's mind automatically turns to vampires. But Tillie's a curious young woman, and she's determined to find a scientific explanation for her sister's death, whether it's a vampire or something else. Complicating her investigations, however, are Tillie's recent fall from a horse (which has her constantly under the influence of opium) and Tillie's mother and grandmother, who are understandably resistant to letting their last remaining heir out of their sight.

This is an intriguing story of New York City at the turn of the century, and includes references to several historical figures and events that readers will find interesting. The mystery itself was OK, I guess, but I particularly enjoyed the Tillie's investigations into the science behind vampires — including meeting with morticians, anatomists, and even a zoologist — as well as the peek into the medicinal habits of the era. It's a fun book, if one can say that about murder and addiction.

French Exit

French exit: a tragedy of manners / Patrick deWitt, read by Lorna Raver 244 pgs

Kara did a great job with her post about this book. What is difficult to convey is the quirkiness of the characters and the story.  Add to the audio version, the perfection of Lorna Raver's voice as Frances. She conveys the delightful oddness and mild snootiness with perfection.  The voices of the other characters are also excellent.

French Exit

French Exit by Patrick DeWitt, 244 pages

Frances Price is the moneyed widow of a powerful and corrupt lawyer. Her son, Malcolm, is 35 years old, doesn't have a job, and quite happily lives with his mother, despite protestations by his fiancee Susan. They also have a cat, Lil Frank, who they believe is the reincarnation of Frances's late husband. As the novel begins, Frances has run out of money and is forced to liquidate her assets and move into a Paris apartment owned by her sole friend, Joan.

The description of this book doesn't do it justice. Its quirky characters and odd situations are infused with a bone-dry sense of humor — imagine a Wes Anderson film in book form. If you enjoy those movies, or liked DeWitt's other books (The Sisters Brothers and Undermajordomo Minor), you'll love this one too.

Belgravia

Belgravia by Julian Fellowes, 402 pages

Written by the creator of Downton Abbey, Belgravia delves into the world of the British upper crust with the sort of sumptuous detail that only Fellowes can muster. Belgravia is the tale of two families led by strong women — the Countess of Brockenhurst and Anne Trenchard, the wife of a rich developer — and the mysterious Charles Pope, a man with whom both women are fascinated, though for reasons unknown to society at large, and even some members of their own families. Once again, there is plenty of tension between the families and their servants, as well as some truly conniving characters, making this a treat for those who are missing Downton Abbey. Kathleen recommended this audiobook to me, and I must agree that it was remarkably well read by actress Juliet Stevenson. An excellent book, beautifully presented.

Come Hell or Highball

Come hell or highball / Maia Chance 307 pgs.

Lola Woodby is newly widowed but isn't TOO sad about it.  Her cheating husband Alfie wasn't a catch...aside from the fact that he was rich.  The rich part turns out not to be true.  He was being supported by his rich family and leaves Lola penniless.  Unaccustomed to doing without her highballs and gin, Lola and the cook Berta leave together with beloved Pomeranian Cedric and try to figure out how to make it.  They get an offer they can't refuse...steal a film back for a $3,000 reward.  This is prohibition era so that money will keep them quite well for quite awhile.  But they have to find the film.

Written as an almost screwball comedy, Lola and Berta are modern day heroines...they have guts and charisma and Berta makes divine cinnamon rolls.  Their task is difficult and they really don't know who they are dealing with but start finding out when people end up murdered.  Not the smoothest investigators around, these two keep it together and make a memorable duo.

The Swans of Fifth Avenue

The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin, 341 pages

In his heyday, Truman Capote had a fantastic martini-and-gossip-filled relationship with a gaggle of New York socialites. Benjamin's novel explores this high society set, and particularly Capote's oddly close friendship with social queen Babe Paley, through its high points in the 1950s and into the odd falling out between Capote and the society ladies in the 1960s. Benjamin's writing is sumptuous and evocative, and, as similar as these women could be, she does an excellent job of distinguishing them. It's a fascinating story, and as always with this sort of book, I'm left wondering how much is true (particularly when so many of the characters are self-described liars, whether their aim is to create gossip or keep up appearances). Something tells me I'll need to be doing some more research into these people!