My enormous thanks to Becci Mansell at Harper Collins for sending me a copy of A Woman of Intrigue by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York with Marguerite Kaye in return for an honest review. It’s my absolute pleasure to share that review today.

A Woman of Intrigue will be published by Mills and Boon in paperback on 6th June 2024 and is available for pre-order through the links here.

A Woman of Intrigue

Scandals, seduction and secrets… and one woman’s quest to uncover the truth. The most intriguing historical romance of 2024, perfect for fans of Bridgerton.

Wallflower Lady Mary Montagu Douglas Scott has a secret. Moving effortlessly unnoticed amongst the ballrooms and palaces of Queen Victoria, her sharp intelligence and keen powers of observation allow her to quietly solve society crimes – coming to the rescue of those whose pride and fortune are at stake.

Overlooked and underestimated, Mary finds missing money, recovers stolen jewellery and saves reputations. When she meets Colonel Walter Trefusis, an unlikely and spirited alliance is formed. But Mary has more than met her match in her sleuthing partner. As she battles the expectations of society and her family, Mary must follow her heart – whatever the cost…

My Review of A Woman of Intrigue

Lady Mary Montague Douglas Scott is not quite the wallflower she might appear! 

What a super story. I must say at the outset that I’m hugely impressed by the openness with which Sarah Ferguson acknowledges the input to A Woman of Intrigue from her writing partner Marguerite Kaye. Between the two authors they have blended both real and imagined characters and events into an entertaining, compelling and really interesting narrative. 

The plot of A Woman of Intrigue is totally engaging because there’s lots of action, a tantalising physical attraction between Mary and Tre, and considerable intrigue, mystery and crime to capture the imagination. Indeed, I think there’s huge scope for more adventures featuring Mary and Tre. 

The historical detail and the depiction of Victorian society are so well drawn that they place the reader right in the era. Balanced by Tre’s affliction that places him just slightly at a tangent to polite society, there’s a realism that I found truly refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed the references to food, to gardening and to the running of large, wealthy households as well as the more prosaic aspects of life and the depiction of how lower classes live. Every aspect felt really vivid.

I thought Mary was a wonderful character. She is determined, principled and adventurous. I so appreciated the way Sarah Ferguson avoids making her a constrained, simpering woman of heaving bosom and the vapours, so typical of her class and upbringing. Instead, she is quite prepared to put pragmatism before romance, and to identify what she wants for herself in a modern and feminist manner, rather than allow herself to be drawn into marriage as might be expected of her. This makes A Woman of Intrigue relevant to today’s society as well as an engaging historical read.

Similarly, although he is physically attractive, Tre is also not cliched. His physical affliction arising out of mental trauma is sensitively handled, realistic and makes him feel modern and appealing. His attitude towards Mary, respecting her autonomy, makes him all the more charismatic. 

The more minor characters such as Charlotte and Louisa are also entertaining and interesting because they add texture to the story. It’s wonderful to discover older characters in historical fiction of this kind who find a new lease of life. 

Not being a fan of ‘celebrity’ books I confess that I began reading A Woman of Intrigue without great expectations. I was proved totally wrong. A Woman of Intrigue is a cracker of a read. It has a fast paced, interesting and exciting plot. It has rounded, engaging characters. It depicts the era, the roles of men and women and the sense of history with elan. A Woman of Intrigue entertains brilliantly and I thought it was such a smashing read. 

About Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York

Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, is also a bestselling memoirist and children’s book author, film producer, and has been a spokesperson for Weight Watchers and Wedgwood china. She currently campaigns for her international charity Sarah’s Trust which supports children’s literacy and education globally. She works on historical documentaries and films that draw on her deep interest in Victorian history.
She was the daughter-in-law of HM The Queen and former wife of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, brother to King Charles III. Grandmother to August and Sienna and mother of two daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. She lives in Windsor.

For further information, visit Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York charity website, follow her on Twitter/X @SarahTheDuchess, or find her on Instagram and Facebook.

About Marguerite Kaye

Marguerite Kaye is a prolific historical romance author hailing from the west coast of Argyll in Scotland. She has written almost sixty books and novellas, and co-authored two books with Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. She is a voracious reader, a keen sewist and a cook who loves to eat.

For further information, follow Marguerite on Twitter/X @MargueriteKaye, or find her on Instagram and Facebook.