Let us Talk of Many Things; of Books and Queens and Pirates, of Mystery and Kings...: Rachel's Random Resources Book Tour of: A Blighter Is Bumped Off by Helen Golden

Monday, 29 June 2026

Rachel's Random Resources Book Tour of: A Blighter Is Bumped Off by Helen Golden

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About the Book

A Blighter is Bumped Off

The only thing worse than a persistent suitor? A dead one on your lawn.

London, 1892. Alice, Duchess of Stortford, has returned to town determined to enjoy her first Season as a wealthy widow. But instead of balls, flirtation, and whispered gossip, she finds herself besieged by ambitious bachelors—none more persistent than the insufferably smooth-talking Miles Fonthill. When Alice firmly refuses his sudden proposal, she assumes the matter is settled.

Instead, he turns up dead in her garden.

The police are happy to call it a tragic accident. Alice is less convinced.

Why was Miles climbing over her garden wall in the middle of the night? Why had he become so determined to win her favour? And what did he really want?

As Alice begins to dig into Miles’ final days, her search leads her into the glittering heart of London society, where old loyalties run deep, secrets are guarded fiercely, and reputation matters more than truth. But when whispers of the mysterious Order of the Golden Key begin circling dangerously close to her own late husband’s name, Alice realises this death may be far more complicated than one unwelcome suitor meeting an unfortunate end.

And if someone is willing to kill to keep their secrets…this Season may prove positively deadly.

Perfect for fans of feisty female sleuths, Victorian High Society, and secret scandals, all served with a dash of humour and a cup of tea.

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blighter-Bumped-Duchess-Stortford-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0FWC6CBLC

https://www.amazon.com/Blighter-Bumped-Duchess-Stortford-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0FWC6CBLC

About Helen Golden

Helen Golden spins mysteries that are charmingly British, delightfully deadly, and served with a twist of humour.

With quirky characters, clever red herrings, and plots that keep the pages turning, she’s the author of the much-loved A Right Royal Cozy Investigation series, following Lady Beatrice and her friends—including one clever little dog—as they uncover secrets hidden in country houses and royal palaces. Her new historical mystery series, The Duchess of Stortford Mysteries, is set in Victorian England and introduces an equally curious sleuth from Lady Beatrice’s own family tree—where murders are solved over cups of tea, whispered gossip, and overheard conversations in drawing rooms and grand estates.

Helen lives in a quintessential English village in Lincolnshire with her husband, stepdaughter, and a menagerie of pets—including a dog, several cats, a tortoise, and far too many fish.

If you love clever puzzles, charming settings, and sleuths with spark, her books are waiting for you.

Follow Helen Golden

Insta:

https://www.instagram.com/helengolden_author

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/helengoldenauthor

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@helengoldenauthor

https://twitter.com/HelenGoldenAuth

My thoughts

This was the first in this series that I've read.

It was interesting to travel back in time to London in 1892... very well depicted and created. The characters too, were an interesting bunch to meet, although the social expectations of the time made me thankful to be alive now, not back then! I liked Alice, Duchess of Stortford, and cheered when, as a widow, she turned yet another (rotten) suitor down...

Although perhaps, one turning up as dead as a doornail in her garden was a tad extreme... :-)

I do wonder if she'd have been best to go along with the conclusion of the police (an accident), but then, that would have made a very short and rather dull mystery story! :-)

As it is, Alice sets out to investigate, and the story really takes off with one question after another to be solved by a variety of elusive answers.

Full of secrets to be uncovered and inspected - and resolved - Alice enters back into society and meets with a host of nice and not so nice people.

I rather enjoyed the fun, although as with any ongoing series I'd suggest starting at the beginning to fully appreciate the characters, the time and place.

**** 4 stars