The Wicked Wager ( A Regency Murder Mystery & Romance ) [Kindle Edition]

Anya Wylde (Author)

Book Description

The infamous rake, Lord Richard Hamilton, has finally chosen his bride--the very appropriate Miss Emma Grey.
The ton approves, Lord Grey is pleased, Lady Grey delighted, and Emma is over the moon, but her uncle, (the blasted) Duke of Arden, opposes the match, and Emma is ordered to move to the duke's estate to think things over.
Richard Hamilton refuses to take things lying down and concocts a plan. A plan that should have brought the lovers together and had them married within a month. It was a simple matter of masquerading as the duke's gardener, compromising the lady, and then having the duke rush them off to Gretna Green.
Alas, he underestimates the duke's intelligence and the tangled situation on the estate--never had he imagined that compromising a lady could be so difficult.
His endeavours lead to a comedy of errors, charades, and knotty love affairs. Yet he forges ahead in spite of pesky house guests, a flea bitten mattress, his lovesick best friend, and a blackmailer.
Just when things seem to be going well, someone is murdered (very inconvenient), and he happens to be one of the suspects (extremely inconvenient).
His simple plan for winning the wager suddenly becomes ... a tad complicated.

Editorial Reviews

Review

★★★★★"The Wicked Wager was a wonderful story. I was instantly hooked on both the plot and the great characters (seriously, I love these peeps). Not to mention the writing! I'm definitely looking forward to new books by this author. I really, really liked this book" ~Tina, Reviewer, Island Reader Reviews

★★★★★ "This is one delicious romp of a read. There are actual laugh out loud parts,which I had to curtail as I was reading it at work during my lunch hour. I loved the characters and the crazy plots twists that kept popping up" ~ Cheryl, Reviewer, MyShelf

★★★★★ "From the moment Richard and Emma grace the page all the way up to where we find out 'whodunit', I couldn't put this book down ~ Bebe, Reviewer, Reading Until I Fall Asleep

★★★★ "Readers looking for something different from the traditional Reg Rom will find Wylde a breath of fresh air" ~ Anne, Reviewer, Regency Reader

★★★★★ "I'm a fan of Jane Austen. I'm also a huge fan of mysteries, so when I see stories that embody the two I jump over the moon. Luckily for me I recently was approached to read The Wicked Wager, which is a fabulous example of when the regency period and murder mysteries collide" ~ Bella, Reviewer, Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 436 KB
• Print Length: 240 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008UWBJB4
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,545 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #27 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Mystery & Thrillers > Mystery > Historical
  • #36 in Books > Mystery, Thriller & Suspense > Mystery > Historical
  • #84 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Romance > Mystery & Suspense > Mystery

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Adore the pastel caricature book cover September 7, 2012

By Pamela aka Scottieluvr

Format:Kindle Edition

An author's requested read:

The Wicked Wager was a delightful, funny, endearing historical romp. The writing was in tune with the period, while the fast pace immediately pulls me in for a suspenseful amusing ride. The understated, sublime humor quite entertaining and sprinkled throughout the read.

The ploy to thwart Emma's Uncle's demand for a year long engagement was truly outlandish, but Richard and Emma's execution of said plan was beautifully illustrated. Making the ruse all that more imaginable. However, this subterfuge leads the two lovers' towards uncovering Emma's uncle, Duke of Arden's own worries for his family's good health and safety. Thus begins the true mystery of this story.

For those uncompromising grammar police the story possessed well constructed small paragraphs, informational sentences and intriguing mature dialog. To me this is fiction writing in its finest. I could only find three typos in this entire book; pages 184 (of = off), 204 (of = off), 207 (Rakes = Raikes).

Emma and Richard were loveable, believable. The secondary characters played pivotal roles throughout the read. No fainting, vapor-suffering heroines or macho, military heroes. Simple, everyday people, struggling to keep their fortunes intact as well as their reputations.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and recommend it to historical romance lovers. Also, I adore the pastel caricature book cover.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So much fun! September 12, 2012

By Tina D

Format:Kindle Edition

* Review originally posted at Island Reader Reviews [...] *

4.5 stars

This was a wonderful story. I was instantly hooked on both the plot and the great characters (seriously, I love these peeps). Not to mention the writing! I'm definitely looking forward to new books by this author. I really, really liked this book. It was a relatively quick read, although the pacing did bother me a little after Raikes entered the story. It wasn't that bad, but had the writing not been as good I probably would have skimmed some parts.

Pacing issues aside, I have been recommending this book left and right to everyone I spend more than 5 minutes around. It had me chuckling many times, and I'll admit to totally forgetting to cook dinner one night >_> By the time I sat the book down and looked at the clock, it was too late for anything but pizza delivery. That's saying something, because in well over 30 years, less than a dozen books have ever distracted me to that extent. I had so much fun reading this book and I highly recommend it to fans of mysteries and historical fiction. While I was reading this book, I kept thinking what an awesome movie it would make as well!

Note: This was a requested review by the author who provided me with a copy of the ebook.

39 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Awesome Historical Mystery Debut! September 4, 2012

By Bella Mcguire

Format:Kindle Edition

*Review for the Wicked Wager, as originally posted at Cozy Mystery Book Reviews.*

Let me start this review by saying I'm a fan of Jane Austen. I'm also a huge fan of mysteries, so when I see stories that embody the two I jump over the moon. Luckily for me I recently was approached to read The Wicked Wager, which is a fabulous example of when the regency period and murder mysteries collide!

I really enjoyed the main characters in this mystery: Richard and Emma. There is the feeling of intense romantic chemistry between them, and they set the scene perfectly. As the story unfolds I got caught up in the mystery and with each twist and turn was trying to guess who did it!

With many toe curling moments and lots of mystery this was a perfect read for me. I can't wait to read more books from this fantastic author.

More About the Author

Anya Wylde lives in Ireland along with her husband and a fat French poodle (now on a diet). She can cook a mean curry, and her idea of exercise is occasionally stretching her toes. She holds a degree in English literature and adores reading and writing.