A Novel Disguise (A Lady Librarian Mystery) by Samantha Larsen
About A Novel Disguise
Historical Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting - Imaginary English village, 1784
Crooked Lane Books (May 16, 2023)
Paperback : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 1639103465
ISBN-13 : 978-1639103461
Digital ASIN : B0B9WJ8FFT
When Miss Tiffany Woodall assumes the identity of her half-brother after his death, she realizes she isn’t the only one with a secret to hide in this historical series debut, perfect for fans of Deanna Raybourn and Sherry Thomas.1784 London.Miss Tiffany Woodall didn’t murder her half-brother, but she did bury him in the back garden so that she could keep her cottage. Now, the confirmed spinster has to pretend to be Uriah and fulfill his duties as the Duke of Beaufort’s librarian while searching Astwell Palace for Uriah’s missing diamond pin, the only thing of value they own. Her ruse is almost up when she is discovered by Mr. Samir Lathrop, the local bookseller, who tries to save her from drowning while she's actually just washing up in a lake after burying her brother.Her plan is going by the book, until the rector proposes marriage and she starts to develop feelings for Mr. Lathrop. But when her childhood friend, Tess, comes to visit, Tiffany quickly realizes her secret isn’t the only one hidden within these walls. The body of a servant is found, along with a collection of stolen items, and someone else grows mysteriously ill. Can Tiffany solve these mysteries without her own disguise being discovered? If not, she’ll lose her cottage and possibly her life.
About the Character Interview
What is your full name? Miss Tiffany Woodall.
What is your occupation? Are you any good at it? Do you like it? What is your ideal job? I keep house for my half-brother Uriah Woodall. This is the first time that we have had a cottage of our own instead of hired rooms. I love taking care of my own house, even if my half-brother is a controlling and belittling man. To be a librarian like Uriah. To be able to read any book that I like!
When you’re not working, what fills your time? We don’t have any servants, so I don’t have much free time. I have to cook all the food, wash the clothes, clean the cottage, take care of my garden, purchase needed goods from shops, and do the mending. If I could choose what to do with my time, I would go swimming in the lake near the cottage.
What is your favorite childhood memory? When Lady Tess convinced me to dress up in my half-brother’s clothes and I tricked my parents for almost an hour!
What advice would you give to your younger self? You can love again.
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you? I was caught naked bathing in the lake, after burying my half-brother in the back garden and burning my filthy clothes. Mr. Sam Lathrop, the local bookseller, thought that he was saving me from drowning. He hauled me out in the au naturel and I ended up running home.
What is your greatest achievement? My world in 1784 England is so small. I have never even read a novel. Books are expensive and scarce. In addition, women’s delicate minds aren’t trusted to read fiction. After I bury my brother and take his position as librarian, so that I can keep my home, I read my first book.
What makes you laugh? Irony. My childhood best friend Lady Tess hasn’t seen or spoken to me in over twenty years and it isn’t until I am masquerading as my brother that she wishes to see ME.
What is your greatest extravagance? I buy cream silk to make a dress for myself with the money from the Duke of Beaufort.
What are your pet peeves? My half-brother did not allow me to have a midday meal. Although, I later learned that he ate one at the palace with the other staff! I also hate that my half-brother locked the tea leaves up in a chest and kept the key. We have no servants, which means that he didn’t trust me.
Tell us something about yourself that no one else knows. I was engaged to 3rd Lieutenant Nathaniel Occom, but he died before they could marry.
What is always in your pantry? I have a dry cupboard next to the hearth, where I always keep flour and salt. I have to pick out the weevils before I make them into bread.
What is your most treasured possession? My half-brother’s diamond pin that our father gave him. It is the only heirloom of our family. And it is missing!
What is your favorite book? My favorite book is Evelina by Fanny Burney. She is a spinster like me!
What is your favorite song? My half-brother doesn’t allow me to sing. He doesn’t like the sound of my voice. After his unexpected death, I have to find it again.
What did you eat for breakfast? Did you make it yourself? A boiled egg and boiled water. It should have been tea, but Uriah did not open the tea leaves for me.
Describe your perfect day. Eating breakfast with my maid Mary. Working in the library at Astwell Palace. Then enjoying a warm supper and discussing books by the fire with the bookseller, Mr. Sam Lathrop.
About Samantha Larsen
Samantha Hastings met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her four kids. She has degrees from Brigham Young University, the University of North Texas, and the University of Reading (UK). She's the author of: The Last Word, The Invention of Sophie Carter, A Royal Christmas Quandary, The Girl with the Golden Eyes, Jane Austen Trivia, The Duchess Contract, Secret of the Sonnets, The Marquess and the Runaway Lady, and A Novel Disguise. She also writes cozy murder mysteries under Samantha Larsen.
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