Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman

‘A worthy debut . . . With a deliciously gruesome murder and an unlikely pair of sleuths, this is a treat for fans of Downton Abbey.’ —Deanna Raybourn, New York Times–bestselling author

Lady Montfort has been planning her annual summer costume ball for months, and with scrupulous care. Pulling together the food, flowers and a thousand other details for one of the most significant social occasions of the year is her happily accepted responsibility. But when her husband’s degenerate nephew is found murdered, it’s more than the ball that is ruined. In fact, Lady Montfort fears that the official police enquiry, driven by petty snobbery and class prejudice, is pointing towards her son as a potential suspect.

Taking matters into her own hands, the rather over-imaginative countess enlists the help of her pragmatic housekeeper, Mrs. Jackson, to investigate the case, track down the women that vanished the night of the murder, and clear her son’s name. As the two women search for a runaway housemaid and a headstrong young woman, they unearth the hidden lives of Lady Montfort’s close friends, servants and family and discover the identity of a murderer hiding in plain sight.

In this enchanting debut sure to appeal to fans of Downton Abbey, Tessa Arlen draws readers into a world exclusively enjoyed by the rich, privileged classes and suffered by the men and women who serve them. Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman is an elegant mystery filled with intriguing characters and fascinating descriptions of Edwardian life—a superb treat for those who love British novels.

‘Thoroughly enchanting.’ —Anna Lee Huber, USA Today–bestselling author of Sisters of Fortune


Genre: Historical Mystery

"Thoroughly enchanting. Arlen's debut will appeal to fans of 'Downton Abbey,' with its vivid descriptions, firm grip on the intricacies of the time period, and skilled portrayal of the often complicated relationship between upstairs and downstairs." - Anna Lee Huber

"Tessa Arlen has a worthy debut with 'Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman.' With a deliciously gruesome murder and an unlikely pair of sleuths, this is a treat for fans of 'Downton Abbey' who will want to devour it with a nice steaming pot of Earl Grey." - Deanna Raybourn

"In her debut novel, Tessa Arlen weaves an evocative tale of the passions, loyalties and ambitions that divide and unite two classes, upstairs and downstairs, in a stately home. She instantly transports the reader to Edwardian England." - Christine Trent