And Only to Deceive

Lady Emily Ashton marries Viscount Philip Ashton primarily to escape her overbearing mother and gain independence in Victorian London. When Philip dies on safari shortly after their wedding, Emily begins investigating his life and discovers his passion for ancient Greek artifacts and antiquities. As Emily studies Greek art and literature to better understand her late husband, she uncovers irregularities in Philip's collection and his dealings with the British Museum. Her pursuit of answers leads her into London's academic circles and draws the attention of two men connected to Philip's past. Through this historical mystery, the novel explores themes of personal awakening, gender roles in Victorian society, and the ethics of art collection in the 19th century. Emily's transformation from a conventional society woman to an independent scholar and investigator reflects broader questions about authenticity and self-determination.

Readers appreciate the Victorian-era details, intellectual discussions of Greek antiquities, and the gradual character development of protagonist Lady Emily Ashton. Many note the balance between romance and mystery elements, with the romance taking a secondary role to Emily's personal growth and investigative pursuits. Common praise focuses on the authentic portrayal of 19th century women's social constraints and Emily's transformation from a conventional society lady into an independent thinker. Critics point out a slow pace in the first third, describing it as "more meandering conversation than action." Some found the mystery plot predictable and the romantic elements underdeveloped. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (38,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) Multiple readers compared it favorably to Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia Grey series, though noting it has a more scholarly tone. Several reviewers mentioned difficulty connecting with Emily initially but growing to appreciate her complexity as the story progressed.

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The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee Huber A Scottish noblewoman turns to anatomical illustration and crime investigation following her husband's death, uncovering secrets within the aristocracy while pursuing a murderer.

A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch A Victorian gentleman detective examines a servant's apparent suicide while exploring London's upper-class society and ancient artifacts, revealing connections between antiquities and murder.

The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee A reformed thief becomes an undercover investigator in Victorian London, combining her knowledge of society's expectations with investigations into antiquities smuggling rings.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley An eleven-year-old chemist in 1950s England investigates a murder involving rare stamps and ancient artifacts while dealing with her father's grief over his late wife.

🏛️ The author expertly weaves real Victorian-era archaeological discoveries and museum artifacts into the plot, including genuine pieces from the British Museum's collection. 🎭 While writing under the pen name Tasha Alexander, the author was inspired to write this novel after seeing a production of Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing." 📚 The book launched an entire series (Lady Emily Mysteries) that now includes 16 novels, with the most recent released in 2021. 🎨 The novel explores the real-life Victorian obsession with ancient Greek art and culture, a phenomenon known as "Hellenism" that influenced fashion, architecture, and social customs. 💑 The protagonist's journey from an arranged marriage of convenience to posthumously falling in love with her husband through his journals reflects a genuine Victorian literary tradition of "courtship after death" stories.