First in a new series set in Regency England, and a mix of suspense and romance. Lord Roland Percy and Lady Grace search for Grace's missing best friend, Lady Charity, the favored debutante of her season and therefore known as the season's "diamond." The author leaves a few threads undone to sort out in future books, and there are some historical liberties for the sake of the plot, but it was a fun, well-paced read. Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Marketing Chair Press for the ARC.

I feel like this book is trying to be both a mystery and a romance, and as a result, it’s not doing either of those things as well as it could. There’s a lot of focus on the fashionable world of aristocratic courtship, but without much chemistry or emotion between the characters. Their motivations are unclear. I like the mystery elements, but the minutiae of the romance elements bog down the story.

The novel seems to be set in the fictional world of the “Bridgerton” Netflix series rather than in the actual Regency. By 1813, Queen Charlotte was elderly and practically a recluse. The historical inaccuracies made me not trust the authors and continually pulled me out of the story.

Maybe dark romance readers will enjoy this book. I don’t read dark romance, so I don’t know. DNF ~45%.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

"In Regency London's glittering ballrooms, a well-made match can mean the difference between power and ruin.

London, 1813: With his reputation and inheritance on the line, Lord Percy is determined to win the heart of the coveted diamond of the season. When that beautiful woman vanishes, his failure seems all but certain.

Unless, that is, he can find her.

Lady Grace is devastated when her best friend disappears. Society may be willing to believe the worst, but Grace knows her friend would never run off without leaving her a clue.

Someone kidnapped her - but who?

With the clock ticking, Lord Percy and Lady Grace find their best hope lies in working together. But strong wills, brash decisions, and pesky sparks aren't the only things standing in their way.

Can they trust each other in a society where people will do anything to rise to the top?"

Oh, did someone kidnap the diamond in order to force an advantageous match? Read to find out!

We're in the middle of the Regency period in England. Early on we're introduced to Roland, Lord Percy, who has returned from military service after becoming the heir to his grandfather the Duke of Northumberland, and to debutantes and best friends Lady Grace Tilbury and Lady Charity Cresswell who are being received by Queen Charlotte at the beginning of the London season.

Queen Charlotte chooses Charity as her favorite, the "diamond of the first water." Roland, pressured by his grandfather to marry and produce an heir, makes a bet at White's that he can marry the "diamond" by the end of the season.

Then Charity disappears, her father seeks help from Queen Charlotte, and she calls in Roland and Grace and orders them to work together secretly to find Charity before she is ruined.

Along the way we are introduced to supporting characters, including non-typical servants and street urchin siblings, who will likely figure in the promised sequel.

First in a new series and time period by author Lynn Morrison and her editor and new collaborator Anne Radcliffe. Well written, enjoyable, keeps the reader guessing, although somewhat improbable in places. My thanks to the authors, publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy.

I enjoyed the story and the well drawn characters and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction, as it is a good read.in my opinion. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for giving me a copy of the book.

Roland has come back from fighting in Spain as he is the next in line after his grandfather. The Duke has certain requirements of him before he takes the reins. He must marry. Roland has decided he will see who is the Diamond of the debutantes and will go after her. She has been kidnapped and the queen request her best friend, Grace and Roland will find her before the ransom is due and no one must kknow they are looking for her. Thank you NetGalley for this exciting mystery.

London, 1813: The marriage season is in full swing. Debutantes have been presented at Court. The Queen has chosen this year's diamond of the first water. Lord Percy, newly back from the war and now first in line to inherit a dukedom, wagers his future on winning the hand of the Queen's favourite, Lady Charity. Until, that is, she disappears. Along with her best friend, Lady Grace, Lord Percy must do everything in his power to foil her abductors, before they are all brought to ruin.

Read if you enjoy...
Fake courtships
Amateur sleuths
A hint of scandal

This was a delightful Regency romp. It has exactly the right mix of intrigue and yearning and unwavering loyalty. Charity was a refreshingly pragmatic heroine. The mystery unfurled seamlessly between ballrooms and morning calls, and kept me guessing for quite a long time! I'm looking forward to the next books in this series as I'm eager to see where all these complicated relationships lead.

Perfect for fans of Bridgerton and Georgette Heyer.

"The missing Diamond" is the first book in the new regency mystery series "The crown jewels".

I found the characters well written and the story well thought out. Roland is back from war to face his duties as the heir to a Duke, whereas Grace is navigating her first season with the help of her friend Charity.

The servants Thorne and Elsie were a really nice addition to the plot and so were the sprouts, which will for sure bloom in future adventures.

The mystery was so well plotted I did not guess who the culprit was until the very end.

The ending left me curious to see what the future has store for the main characters and I cannot wait to read the next chapter!

Thanks to the author and the publisher for providing me with an ARC.