A Fatal Waltz

Book excerpt: From New York Times bestselling author Tasha Alexander comes the third Lady Emily mystery. A deadly dance between two implacable enemies . . . At her friend Ivy's behest, Lady Emily Ashton reluctantly agrees to attend a house party at the country estate of Lord Fortescue, a man she finds as personally odious as he is politically powerful. But on arrival she finds him to be the least of her problems. Among the guests is Kristiana von Lange, an Austrian countess who had once been linked romantically with Emily's fiancé, Colin Hargreaves, and she makes no secret of that fact, tormenting Emily for her own amusement. Annoying for Emily - but then matters turn deadly serious when Lord Fortescue is found murdered and his protégé, Robert Brandon - Ivy's husband - is arrested for the crime. Emily's efforts to clear her friend's name take her to Vienna, a place of glittering balls, sordid back streets, chic cafes . . . and home to her nemesis, the Countess von Lange. Praise for Tasha Alexander 'A thoroughly enjoyable adventure with both historical texture and emotional depth' Anne Perry 'Captivating characters are superbly brought to life in this riveting historical . . . [a] cleverly plotted and suspenseful mystery' FreshFiction 'A captivating addition to the adventures of an irresistible Victorian iconoclast' Booklist 'Immediately engrossing and thoroughly entertaining . . . Alexander writes with a fullness and richness that leaves the reader extremely satisfied' Crimespree 'Sometimes touching, sometimes funny and always absorbing, this Victorian-era mystery hits all the right notes' Romantic Times 'Enchanting... Alexander keeps readers guessing until the very end' Publishers Weekly 'Tasha Alexander is one to watch - and read... despite her cliffhanger climaxes and witty repartee, there's a depth of sensitivity that sets her apart' The Huffington Post