<h2>Country house murder and mayhem</h2><p>Spring 1763. Career diplomat Alec Halsey returns to London to the shocking news his estranged brother, the Earl of Delvin, has not only killed his friend in a duel but is engaged to the woman Alec hoped to marry. The dead man's mother wants Alec to investigate, so he reluctantly attends a weekend house party celebrating the engagement. Houseguests get more than they bargained for when a lady's maid is murdered, the bride-to-be is attacked, and a guest is shot dead. Uncovering a connection between these sinister acts and his brother's duel, Alec confronts a cruel twist of fate and why his brother will go to any lengths to ruin him in Polite Society.</p><p>Lucinda Brant's Alec Halsey mysteries explore the darker side of her deliciously romantic 18^th century world. Along with trademark wit and high drama there are deeper subplots and even quirkier characters that will have you shuddering and laughing in equal measure!</p><p><br></p><h3>Awards for this Book</h3><ul><li>USA Today Bestseller</li><li>B.R.A.G Medallion Honoree</li><li>Romantic Book fo the Year Finalist, <em>Romance Writers of Australia</em></li></ul><p><br></p><h3>Connecting Books</h3><p>Enjoy Lucinda's meticulously researched 18^th&nbsp;century world, where characters, places, and events all intertwine.</p><p><br></p><p><em>Alec Halsey Mysteries</em></p><p><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Spring 1763 DEADLY ENGAGEMENT (Country house murder and mayhem)</em></p><p><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Autumn 1763 DEADLY AFFAIR (A poisoned vicar and the mysterious Miranda)</em></p><p><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Winter 1763 DEADLY PERIL (Bloody intrigue abroad)</em></p><p><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Summer 1764 DEADLY KIN (Murderous family secrets)</em></p><p><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Winter 1764 DEADLY DESIRE (Lies, levées, and lovers) </em></p><p><br></p><p><em>Salt Hendon Series</em></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;1763 SALT BRIDE (Magnus and Jane)</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;1767 SALT REDUX (Antony and Caroline)</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;SALT HENDON COLLECTION - boxed set with bonus novella SALT ANGEL</p><p><br></p><p><em>Roxton Family Saga</em></p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1740s NOBLE SATYR (Renard and Antonia)</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1760s MIDNIGHT MARRIAGE (Julian and Deb)</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;1770s AUTUMN DUCHESS (Antonia and Jonathon)</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;1770s DAIR DEVIL (Dair and Rory)</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;1770s PROUD MARY (Mary and Christopher)</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;1780s SATYR'S SON (Henri-Antoine and Lisa)</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;1743-77 ETERNALLY YOURS (Roxton Letters Vol. 1)</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;1772-87 FOREVER REMAIN (Roxton Letters Vol. 2)</p>