Meanwhile, Violet notices puzzling causes of death among the corpses she lays out. When Graham is caught smuggling goods to Civil War–torn America, he must flee England. Her indifferent housekeeping also puts a strain on the marriage. Violet Morgan and her husband, Graham, of whose prosperous funeral business she’s the backbone, quarrel after Violet takes in an abandoned orphan. Please visit Christine at most unusual heroine-an undertaker in 1860s London-drives this capable first in a new series from historical fiction author Trent (By the King’s Design). She is the author of the Lady of Ashes historical mystery series. When she isnt writing, you can usually find her scrapbooking, planning a trip to England, or haunting bookstores. Publishers Weekly on By the Kings Design Exuberant, sparkling, beguiling.brims with Dickensian gusto! -Barbara Kyle, author of The Queens Lady on The Queens Dollmaker Winningly original.glittering with atmospheric detail! -Leslie Carroll, author of Royal Affairs on The Queens Dollmaker About the Author Christine Trent lives in the Mid-Atlantic region with her husband, Jon, and five cats: Caesar, Claudia, Livia, Marcus, and Octavian. Praise for the novels of Christine Trent Genuinely engrossing.with a rare Regency heroine who loves her work and does it well. Equal parts courage, compassion, and intrigue, Christine Trent tells an unrestrained tale of love and loss in the rigidly decorous world of Victorian society. But shes certain theres a killer lurking in the London fog, and the next funeral may be her own. When Grahams plotting leads to his disappearance, Violet takes full control of the business and is commissioned for an undertaking of royal proportions. And the solace shes always found in her work evaporates like a departing soul when she suspects that some of the deceased shes dressed have been murdered. Violets peculiar but happy life soon begins to unravel as Graham bes obsessed with his own demons and all but abandons her as he plans a vengeful scheme. She is empathetic, well-versed in funeral fashions, and comfortable with deaths role in life-until its chilling rattle comes knocking on her own front door. While her husband, Graham, is preoccupied with elevating their station in society, Violet is cultivating a sterling reputation for Morgan Undertaking. Book Synopsis Only a woman with an iron backbone could succeed as an undertaker in Victorian London, but Violet Morgan takes great pride in her trade. About the Book Includes reading group guide and discussion questions.

Lady of Ashes by Christine Trent