DESCRIPTION:

Lady Winifred Westerly has her heart set on marrying Richard, Viscount Danleigh. Unfortunately, the obstacles to their happiness seem to multiply daily. Bad enough that Winifred is known to half of London as "Flighty Freddy," but Dickie's reputation is rather shocking as well, and now Dickie's mother, the notorious Mrs. Picket, has come back to England and installed herself in the same house with Dickie's father the Duke of Darke's Reach.

Freddy's over-protective father and godmother have forbidden her to marry into such a disreputable family. Something must be done.

Will Lady Fred be able to rehabilitate her fiance's family by convincing Devil Darke to remarry his divorced wife, or will an accusation of murder separate her from Dickie forever?

REVIEWS:

"Darke’s Folly is a ripping yarn of murder, romance and vengeance. Freddy is a young Regency Miss Marple. She is someone the reader can instantly identify with. Freddy is unconventional and fallible. You can easily imagine her defying Regency convention and setting off to solve a murder. The book keeps you guessing until the end. It does not follow a set formula. What I thought would happen didn’t and I enjoyed that. I also liked the non standard ending. It left it open to all sorts of possibilities as to what the future holds for Lady Winifred Westerly." Reviewed by Janet of Fallen Angel Reviews, 4 ANGELS

"Enjoy a lighthearted look at romance with Lady Fred and her love Dickie. Fred has just been forbidden to accept a proposal from Dickie because of the scandal his parents have caused by a divorce… And a murderer is on the loose. Several attempts are made on Fred's life as well as that of the ex-duchess. The mystery of a missing woman as well as the death of another seem unconnected, but trust Fred to figure things out… With the comical comings and goings (of) the lawman of Bowstreet, and Fred trying to avoid romantic entanglements with Dickie's father, you will find yourself smiling even as a murder stalks Lady Fred.

"A fun read you will certainly enjoy. The second in a series of adventures or misadventures of a young couple who can't seem to stay out of trouble. All in good fun and enough mystery to keep you reading. Enjoy." Reviewed by Anne K. Edwards

"In this sprightly mystery, author Melissa McCann has found her balance between likeable characters and a house full of believable suspects. Lady Freddy, who excels at keeping those around her confused, never lets her own feet off the ground - though it appears Dickie can teach her a thing or two about enjoying dizziness. Few people besides Dickie understand Freddy's off-the-wall observations, but Dickie's mother can. Freddy and Mrs. Picket become savvy allies in dealing with Dickie's father and with the dysfunctional Dashwood family. Her experiences with her own disreputable mother allow her to fit right into this questionable household, with highly entertaining results.

"From the look of things, we will get to know Freddy's outcast mother when the final book of the trilogy, THE SCANDAL, comes out. DARKE'S FOLLY is delightful company. I know I'll be rereading it." Reviewed by Joy Calderwood of Readers Choice Reviews

"DARKE'S FOLLY is a Regency mystery and romantic comedy all rolled into one. The mystery proceeds with a number of houseguests having a connection to the victim, who had been generous in spreading her charms. The Bow Street runner shows his colors as a bumbler from the very start, and Lady Fred, who is an excellent observer, sets out to ascertain the identity of the real killer.

The characters are an odd lot and add to the fun of DARKE'S FOLLY. The duke is an inveterate flirt who cannot even restrain himself from turning his attention to his son's fiancée. He's otherwise irascible and rude. Though Dickie -- who carries the honorary title of Marquise of Danleigh as the duke's heir -- is normally an irrepressibly friendly young man, he guards Freddy as a puppy would a bone...."

"To get more of a feel for the Lady Fred Trilogy, you can find three-chapter excerpts from the first two novels, LADY FRED and DARKE'S FOLLY, on the Awe-Struck website. Then watch this space next March for a review of SCANDAL, the last of the three novels.

"Fearless Lady Fred and devoted Dickie, Lord Danleigh, are an extremely likable couple who grow closer with each escapade. I thoroughly enjoyed DARKE'S FOLLY and believe you will, too. I have the download for the conclusion already; now if I can just keep on schedule and not peek ahead..." Reviewed by Jane Bowers of Romance Reviews Today