The ghost may be the least of her problems… Vivacious actress Sybil Ingram looks forward to a life of security when she leaves the theater in 1873 to marry a wealthy American. But when he dies on their wedding night, she finds herself a penniless widow. Her only legacy is Brooke House, a Gothic revival manor in the wilds of the Hudson River Valley. However, the eerie mansion comes with two tenants. One is a hostile ghost. The second, and far worse, is former violinist Roderick Brooke–the most insolent, dangerous, maddeningly gorgeous man she’s ever met.
As Sybil and Roderick engage in a battle of wills–and wits–an even greater threat arises: the mysterious queen of local society, Mrs. Lavinia Dove. For reasons that Sybil can’t imagine, Mrs. Dove is determined to have Brooke House and Roderick for herself… if necessary, by deadly means.
Nocturne for a Widow is a delightful fusion of gothic romance, mystery, and romantic comedy, perfect for readers who love dashing Victorian women sleuths like Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell and Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody. And be sure to explore Sybil’s continuing adventures in The Last Serenade, A Haunting Reprise, and the short stories “Spectral Strains” and “Christmas at Gravesend”–now available in one convenient collection!