Sybil Ingram Series by Amanda DeWees

New historical romantic suspense from the author of the acclaimed Sea of Secrets. Widowed on her wedding night! Sybil Ingram is at a crossroads. Once she was the toast of the London stage, but now that she's 28 years old--very well, nearly 30--her draw isn't what it used to be, and her theater troupe is foundering... moreNew historical romantic suspense from the author of the acclaimed Sea of Secrets. Widowed on her wedding night! Sybil Ingram is at a crossroads. Once she was the toast of the London stage, but now that she's 28 years old--very well, nearly 30--her draw isn't what it used to be, and her theater troupe is foundering. When her trusted mentor asks her to take the blame for his financial misdeeds, Sybil sees no choice but to retire from the life she loves and move to America to marry New York City hotel magnate Alcott Lammle. But her path to happiness is cut short when Lammle dies suddenly--and in financial ruin. Widowed, nearly penniless, and unable to return to England, the determined diva sets out to stake a claim on Brooke House, an eccentric neo-Gothic manor in the wilds of the Hudson River Valley. She soon finds, however, that a ghostly presence wants her gone. Even worse, her claim is challenged by the most insolent, temperamental, maddeningly gorgeous man she's ever met: Roderick Brooke, a once-famous former violinist whose career ended in a dark scandal. Soon it's a battle of wills as Sybil matches wits--and trades barbs--with Roderick, finding herself increasingly drawn to him despite her growing suspicion that there is a connection between him and the entity that haunts Brooke House. But an even greater threat arises in the form of the mysterious, powerful queen of local society, Mrs. Lavinia Dove. For reasons that Sybil can't imagine, Mrs. Dove is determined to oust Sybil from her sphere . . . and the lengths to which she will go are chilling indeed. By turns mysterious and moving, sparkling and spooky, Nocturne for a Widow follows a spirited heroine through adventures in life, love, and death. From the colorful theatrical world of late-Victorian London to the American wilderness, Sybil's travels will test her mettle--and her heart. Length: 280 pages ~ Sensuality level: mild/sweet Categories: Victorian era, historical fiction, gothic romance, romantic suspense, mystery, historical, romantic comedy, ghost story, Victorian mystery, historical romance less

When Sybil takes the stage again, murder plays the leading role. In September 1873, medium and former actress Sybil Ingram is looking forward to her new life as the wife of dashing violinist Roderick Brooke. But their plans for marriage are interrupted by a cry for help from Julia de Lioncourt, Roderick’s former lover. Julia’s letter implores him to come to Paris to rescue her from a blackmailer, Danton Fournier, who holds letters that can cause her ruin... moreWhen Sybil takes the stage again, murder plays the leading role. In September 1873, medium and former actress Sybil Ingram is looking forward to her new life as the wife of dashing violinist Roderick Brooke. But their plans for marriage are interrupted by a cry for help from Julia de Lioncourt, Roderick’s former lover. Julia’s letter implores him to come to Paris to rescue her from a blackmailer, Danton Fournier, who holds letters that can cause her ruin. When they arrive in Paris, the bewitching beauty proposes a daring plan: Sybil will masquerade as Julia onstage in a new melodrama while Julia, her alibi thus secured, recovers the letters from Fournier’s home. Knowing that Roderick still harbors guilt over killing Julia’s husband in a duel, Sybil agrees to the plan for his sake—even though it’s all too clear that the scheming Julia wants Roderick back in her bed. Moreover, the theater seems to harbor a ghostly presence that may foretell disaster for the masquerade. Catastrophe strikes on the night of Sybil’s performance when Fournier’s body is discovered stabbed through the heart. Suddenly Sybil needs an alibi. But even if she is cleared of the murder, she must find a way to prevent suspicion from falling on Roderick as well—and determine whether Julia knows more about Fournier’s death than she is admitting. Can Sybil’s abilities as a spirit medium help her discover the truth before the real killer stops her? less