Introduction

After an odd encounter at a grand masquerade ball, Lady Emily becomes embroiled in the murder investigation of one of the guests, a sometime actress trying to pass herself off as the mysterious heiress and world traveler Estella Lamar.  Each small discovery, however, leads to more questions.  Was the intended victim Miss Lamar or the imposter?  And who would want either of them dead?  

As Emily and Colin try to make sense of all this, a larger puzzle begins to emerge:  No one has actually seen Estella Lamar in years, since her only contact has been through letters and the occasional blurry news photograph.  Is she even alive?  Emily and Colin’s investigation of this double mystery takes them from London to Paris, where, along with their friend Cécile, they must scour the darkest corners of the city in search of the truth.

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Excerpt

2 July 1897
Devonshire House, London

1

I raised the long, curved bow and with two fingers pulled back its string, all the while resisting the urge to remove one of the silver-shafted arrows nestled in the quiver slung over my shoulder.

“It would be so easy,” I said, a sigh escaping my lips as I gazed across the ballroom.

“Too easy.” My husband, his dark eyes sparkling, lowered my weapon with a single finger. “It would be beneath you, Emily.”

“It is not often one is permitted to arm oneself at a ball,” I said. “Fancy dress is a marvelous thing, and as such, my taking full advantage of the situation is nothing short of strict necessity. Without seeing an arrow, my prey may not realize she has been made a target.” ... view entire excerpt...

Discussion Questions

1. Estella has a fortune that enables her to live in whatever manner she would like. Do you believe she is happy with her choices?

2. How do Emily and Cécile represent women at different stages of life? When are their priorities similar and when do they diverge?

3. In the end, who is the victim and who is the villain? Which of the two is more content?

4. In what ways would it be easier in the 19th century to pose as someone else than it is now? In what ways would it be more difficult?

5. Who is responsible for Estella’s fate?

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»	Interview with the author from The Mary Sue

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