Silence in the Library: A Lily Adler Mystery

At the start of Schellman’s strong second Regency mystery (after 2020’s Body in the Garden), George Pierce, father of widow Lily Adler, comes to London, where Lily lives, to see a doctor. Mr. Pierce, who can be highly critical of his daughter, doesn’t have time to call on Sir Charles Wyatt, an old family friend who has recently remarried and could be leaving any day for the country, so Lily agrees to visit Sir Charles instead and convey her father’s respects. Sir Charles is not at home, but Lady Wyatt, his much younger wife, is, along with his son Frank, who’s Lily’s age and treats Lady Wyatt with disdain. The next day, Sir Charles is found dead in his library, and perceptive Lily, who has inserted herself into a Bow Street investigation before, immediately suspects foul play. In the end, Lily enlists her disapproving father’s aid to catch the culprit. Lively characters and an intricate plot keep the pages turning. Readers will look forward to Lily’s further adventures. Agent: Whitney Ross, Irene Goodman Literary. (July)